Writer-director Billy Wilder has worked in a number of genres and produced certified classics in each. The sheer number of great films this man made in diverse genres - war (Stalag 17), comedy (Some Like it Hot), noir (Double Indemnity), court-room drama (Witness for the Prosecution) and The Lost Weekend, the definitive film on alcoholism. Forget Days of Wine and Roses, Trainspotting and Leaving Las Vegas. This is the best film on addiction and the most watchable as well.
Ray Milland is superb as the drunken failure Don Birnam and won a well-deserved Oscar for a career best performance. He is actually two people - an unpleasant and rude writer, and a jovial, friendly drunk. You can see his eyes gleam and his tongue loosen every time he sits down in the bar. But when not drinking, he is rude and unpleasant. His entire mentality is geared towards having some 'stock' handy in case he needs it - and he always needs it. He confesses early on in the picture that its easy to stop drinking, but not forever. And that is essentially his dilemma. Birnam is the centre piece of the film and there in most frames. The bulk of the action takes place in Birnam's flat or in the bar where he can still get a drink.
A very intelligent script is only slightly marred by a production code forced ending but till that point this entire film is decades ahead of its time.
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