This movie is a very good parallel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (by Milos Forman), where the plot is set to alcohol cessation sanatory instead of psych ward. Even though there are these similarities (main actors of both movies could shake hands), the cast and the execution is quite unique. Figures are very well detailed and worth of analysis (not just main role). There is also a notable influence of the pre '89 regime.