Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) is a PR-guy who is willing to do anything to keep his customers happy. It’s not a problem for him to arrange a group of women to appear when a prince visits the country and he’s happy to drink along when this is required. During one of his assignments he meets the secretary Kirsten (Lee Remick), who initally isn’t interested in him. Joe however is not someone who gives up quickly and uses all his wit and charm to win her attention. It pays off and the two start to see more of each other and eventually marry. It turns out that there aren’t the only two in the marriage though, because without a bottle of alcohol they don’t feel complete.
Days of Wine and Roses is a movie which shows the devastating power of alcohol, it also shows the struggle when someone wants to quit. Although Joe and Kirsten initially manage to live a normal life they slowly descend into a downward spiral. The question is whether or not they will be able to escape from it.
The movie received 5 Oscar nominations (it won one for the best music), 2 of them for best actor and actress. Jack Lemmon, who was mainly known for his comedic roles doesn’t hold back at all. At first sight he seems to be a normal (albeit funny) man. The scene in which he comes home drunk is an amazing performance. As the movie progresses he manages to show that he’s more than capable doing drama, which shows in the scene in which he’s looking for a hidden bottle which he can’t find. Lee Remick easily matches what he does though. She shows that a mother can be torn apart by an impossible choice between her love of alcohol and her family.
Although this movie has a couple of moments where I had the feeling message was a bit too strong (like the moment when the AA manual is being read), Days of Wine and Roses succeeds in showing the hardships of alcoholism. Because this film is in black and white eveything feels heavy and dramatic. It’s a warning to people getting addicted to something. The final shot is the perfect representation of the internal struggle between staying sober and drinking.
Score: 8
This movie made me speechless. It is also the reason for my inner calmness when I watched Requiem for a Dream, which didn’t seem very shocking after Days of Wine and Roses.
After reading your review about this movie I had to watch this.
I remember that the first time I watched Requiem I couldn’t finish it. The second time around though I didn’t have that.
Never heard of Days of Wine and Roses (1962), I think I’ll give it a try soon ( :
Tough to tell I think if the film is a comedy or a drama from the trailer
Me neither, but saw it being reviewed on Anomolous Material and Eternity of Dream, so had to give this a go as I’m a big Jack Lemmon fan. The movie definitely is a drama.