The Lost Weekend
by Billy Wilder
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Actor: Doris Dowling, Howard Da Silva, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, Ray MillandDirector: Billy Wilder
Brand: Universal Studios
Cinematographer: John F. Seitz
Writer: Billy Wilder
Producer: Charles Brackett
Writer: Charles Brackett
Writer: Charles R. Jackson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 101 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-02-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The Lost Weekend
DVD Review: ENGROSSING LANDMARK FILM STUMBLES OFF THE BARSTOOL AT THE END
Summary: 5 Stars
Tour de force by Ray Milland whose career seemed to apex here. Can't believe I was watching the same actor who wound up doing JD and Corman quickies in the early 60's and nadiring with the embarrassing THING WITH TWO HEADS [1972]. Millan plays Don Birnum, a handsome, eloquent but underachieving writer who escapes his fears and inadequacies by reaching for the bottle. He is supported economically and emotionally by his brother Wick, played by Philip Terry. Terry, married to actress Joan Crawford at the time and resembling a Clark Gable sibling, is superb as the caring brother who ultimately succumbs to the futility of his task. Terry was another talented actor who wound up doing 60's B to Z tripe [still very good in the otherwise terrible, THE LEECH WOMAN, 1960]. Jane Wyman, resplendent and never more lovely, plays Birnum's "girl", Helen St. James, the lady friend who will never give up trying to save her man who is spiraling into oblivion. Her resolution is admirable but almost childlike and even foolhardy as she persists despite Birnum's repeated setbacks and narcissism.
There were some memorable characterizations in this one: 1- Nat, the bartender, played by the always charismatic and terrific character actor Howard Da Silva---piericing eyes, flared nostrils, sharp tongued, and all. He is Birnum's oasis---his father confessor, his enabler. Great repartee between the two. You just have to love his rebuke of Birnum for conning Gloria the barfly, accepting a date he will never be sober for, and for having such a refined young woman as Helen constantly worried and looking for him not knowing where he is or if he is well; 2- Gloria, played by Doris Dowling, whose stop-the-presses appearance---smoothly striding behind Birnum and stroking the back of his hairline then pointing and "clicking" a gun she feigns---is as sharp and sensual as anything Lauren Bacall did in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT [1944] and leaves all noir femmes in the dust; 3- Birnum's elderly landlady who knows everything about her alcoholic neighbor by studying his movements, counting the number of milk bottles left at his doorstep, and listening to the sounds behind his locked door. The old lady is a doozy; 4- Bim, played by vet Frank Faylen, the male nurse at the hospital alcoholic ward where Birnum ends up. He knows everything about the furtive and recalcitrant ways, and the guises and horrors of, the alcoholic. His blunted affect and detached manner are disturbing. There were also some delightfully endearing moments such as Helen sporadically asking the taller Don to "bend down" [for his kiss] and repositioning his cigarette end correctly into his mouth. Throughout the play, though, Helen was certain that Don's need for the bottle was greater than his love for her.
As Birnum's funds run out and his memory becomes more impaired he resorts to lying, stealing and just plain taking. This leads to humiliation, degradation, and like the "vicious" circles of his shotglass stains on the bar, to a greater need for escape and self-medication via the bottle. He ends up in an alcoholic ward but, repelled by the loony's around him, manages to escape. He returns home only to experience hallucinations and to rock-bottom and plan his suicide. He procures a gun at a pawn shop but Helen finds out and confronts him. Helen won't let up trying to deter the slippery, double-talking Birnum from carrying out his impulsive final act. It looks like she's going to fail until a knock at the door. It's guardian angel Nat returning Don's misplaced typewriter and wishing him well with a reattempt at writing and with "lilacs from Illinois"---the latter a reference to an earlier conversation between the two in which Birnum was trying to describe his love for Helen whom he had just met and for whom he had abstained for six weeks. Nat's appearance just a tap on the shoulder that outsiders with no clear bonds to him cared, and that they wished him love and success. Even Gloria, whom he had stood up, came through for him at the worst of times.
Disappointing, uninspired ending was only shortcoming. While Nat may have been Don's guardian angel, Helen was the hero in this film. Waiting and waiting at the end for the self-involved big lug to finally verbally and affectionately reciprocate Helen's singular and unwavering love, loyalty and dedication and to reward her with the sincere, implicit commitment she has fought for. Not even a thank you? Instead we have an impersonal news-reporter-like ending with Milland talking about the plights of others in NYC who have a problem with the bottle, like himself. Director Wilder probably believed that, in the throes of alcoholic ambivalence/withdrawal/cold-turkeying, reciprocation was not emotionally feasible at that time, but, I would have preferred the Hollywood ending with the adorable and admirable Helen getting her due. Just irked me that twice Helen extended her arms out to Don supplicating for his commitment only to be ignored. Felt like smashing a bottle of spirits over his head. In addition, after all the nightmares, Don's sudden cessation of imbibition was not credible. There's a great deal of work yet to be done, and Don is going to need Helen now more then ever. Otherwise, a superb production, pefectly cast, a memorable screenplay, outstanding performances by all involved. Going to Nat's next Saturday night---but won't be leaving any circles on the bar.
Description of The Lost Weekend
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