The Lost Weekend Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1343

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 73

Theatrical Release Date: 11/29/1945

Language: English

Genre: Mystery, Drama

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Billy Wilder

Actors: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Howard Da Silva, Phillip Terry, Doris Dowling, Frank Faylen

Plot: A true alcoholic's life is followed for four days when he is on and off
his binge drinking.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/27/2019

Billy Wilder's "The Lost Weekend" touches on the theme of alcoholism which still resonates today even if nuance is almost completely absent.

Ryan Stephen M - wrote on 04/13/2013

The Lost Weekend is one of the darker Wilder movies that I have seen. The movie focuses on an alcoholic as his life is followed over a weekend. Dark or not, still a very good movie.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 07/16/2012

The film is at its best when it portrays the devastation and desperation of alcoholism through quieter and more intense scenes. Occasionally, the more dramatic scenes feel a little forced and over-the-top, but Billy Wilder's skill with wordplay and characterization make the film a relevant human portrayal of addiction that holds up today.

Gabe
Producer

...I NEED ANOTHER ONE, NAT!

Gabe - wrote on 07/21/2014

This film really portrayed what the life of an alcoholic is really like. As someone who has first-hand knowledge of this problem (not me, but someone in my family, and I also refuse to use the word disease to describe it), your whole life is consumed by drinking. A lot of television and film shows how great and wonderful alcohol is, but the truth is (and I'm no teetotaler, I like to imbibe, myself) this is what happens when you let your drinking get out of control.

The acting was brilliant, Ray Milland, deservedly won the Academy Award for this film. Yes, I thought the "DTs" scene was a little over-the-top, but it worked. Honestly, though, I wasn't a fan of the ending. I didn't like the suicide sub-plot. I also wasn't convinced that he could be saved. I just assumed that he …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

The Lost Weekend review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 12/09/2012

I've read in an article that Al Pacino was inspired to be an actor by viewing this film. He was in awe with he acting ability of Milland. Performances were solid, writing was straightforward and message ever so clear. Not truly entertaining enough while some scenes albeit exaggerated. Story revolve around 3 distinct characters: Ray Milland as Don Birnam the alcoholic who wishes to write, Jane Wyman as Helen St. James who has been supportive and caring of Don and Phillip Terry as Wick Birnam, the brother who gets fed-up with Don's antics. The Lost Weekend may have been well acted and directed, it's overall output is left to be desired, unless the viewer enjoys hardcore drama and is a recovering alcoholic. Still, got to thank this film for producing one my personal favorite artists …

Delorted
Producer

Review - The Lost Weekend (1945)

Delorted - wrote on 11/07/2007

Don Birnam (Ray Milland) and his brother Wick (Phillip Terry) were going on a weekend out of town together, but all Don wanted to do was drink. His girlfriend Helen St. James (Jane Wyman) and Wick both knew he was a drunk, but nobody knew just how desperate Don could get in the Best Picture winning film, "The Lost Weekend."

Ray Milland delivers a brilliant performance, making you feel true sympathy for such an anti-hero. Jane Wyman also delivers a wonderful performance as Ray's counterpart. The whole ensemble is very disturbingly and almost uncomfortably real. It's hard for me to describe the acting because it just struck me as such great work.

The story alone of a man desperately grabbing for that last drink is so captivating and so emotional that I was drawn in from the moment it …