Days of Wine and Roses

    Days of Wine and Roses
    1963

    Synopsis

    An alcoholic falls in love with and gets married to a young woman, whom he systematically addicts to booze so they can share his "passion" together.

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    Cast

    • Jack LemmonJoe Clay
    • Lee RemickKirsten Arnesen Clay
    • Charles BickfordEllis Arnesen
    • Jack KlugmanJim Hungerford
    • Alan HewittRad Leland
    • Tom PalmerBallefoy
    • Debbie MegowanDebbie Clay
    • Maxine StuartDottie
    • Jack AlbertsonTrayner
    • Leon AltonParty Guest (uncredited)

    Recommendations

    • 100

      TV Guide Magazine

      Edwards's direction was smooth and neither he nor Miller ever took a stance or moralized. They just showed what it was like to be an alcoholic in the 1960s and let the audience draw its own conclusions.
    • 80

      Empire

      The second half occasionally descends into melodrama, but for the most part this is bleak, non-judgemental, riveting stuff.
    • 80

      Time Out

      The couple's battle to get off the bottle is harrowingly chronicled, so much so that you almost forget it's a Blake Edwards picture - his best by some margin, with a touching score by Henry Mancini.
    • 75

      Chicago Reader

      Edwards's attention to detail pays off; while this isn't his best film, it is far superior to most problem dramas of the early 60s.
    • 75

      Chicago Tribune

      Withering study of white-collar alcoholics.
    • 70

      Variety

      Miller’s gruelling drama illustrates how the unquenchable lure of alcohol can supersede even love, and how marital communication cannot exist in a house divided by one-sided boozing.
    • 60

      The New York Times

      It is a commanding picture, and it is extremely well played by Mr. Lemmon and Miss Remick, who spare themselves none of the shameful, painful scenes. But for all their brilliant performing and the taut direction of Blake Edwards, they do not bring two pitiful characters to complete and overpowering life. [18 Jan 1963, p.7]

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    • venusinfurs