The Lost Weekend

Fittingly, the day after a passably uplifting film wins Best Picture of 2021, we post a chat about The Lost Weekend. Billy Wilder was a genius at tragi-comedy, so he isn't at his best directing something like this. Still, his Oscars-sweeper remains an effective effort. Most of Wilder's legendary films were ahead in the '50s, but his Oscar-festooned 1945 "drinking'll wreck ya" drama is a vivid forerunner of desperate alcoholism. Yes, Leaving Las Vegas, Young Adult and others did it better, but this was revolutionary for its time. Ray Milland took home a trophy for Best Actor (despite the thick-laying he's doing) and Jane Wyman is underused, but the cast is still pretty authentic. So pour 1 (or 100) out to the demons and also to the saints as the 435th Ellises' Analysis concludes Oscar Month with a chat about Wilder's Weekend.   Well, Actually: Alcoholics Anonymous got its start 10 years earlier in 1935. Also, I.A.L. Diamond became Wilder's writing partner in 1957 when they co-wrote Love In The Afternoon. Also also, we've reviewed 18 movies for which Edith Head designed the costumes. Also also also, after we talk about Soul next week, we will have covered at least one movie from every year from 2021 all the way back to 1929.   It may not be true that strong java will sober you up fast, but whether you need to get over a hangover or not, buy Sparkplug Coffee. They offer a one-time 20% discount to those who would be so steady as to put our "top100project" promo code into the appropriate box.   We spend a bit of time on Twitter: @moviefiend51 and @bevellisellis   Ryan also yaps about films that do the athletic thing (Scoring At The Movies)