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I have never been a proponent of dry January, as the month’s serious and cold atmosphere is already austere enough for me. However, regardless of whether or not you partake in abstaining from alcohol, January has become a time for reflection on our consumption of it and what else could potentially take its place in our lives.
The portrayal of alcoholism in movies has always varied in intensity, with some films using it as a comedic subject and others as a cautionary tale. One example is Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend, released almost 80 years ago. This film, which won several Oscars, depicts the story of a New York writer struggling with alcoholism and the potential consequences of his addiction. Similarly, in 1995, Nicolas Cage won an Oscar for his role in Leaving Las Vegas, a more grim and fatalistic take on the same theme. Cage plays a suicidal screenwriter who goes to Las Vegas with the intention of drinking himself to death, while Elisabeth Shue’s portrayal of a sex worker who accepts him without trying to change him adds a sense of dignity to his tragic mission.
In 1962, the film “Days of Wine and Roses” served as a cautionary tale for couples who find their relationship more enjoyable after consuming alcohol. The typically charming Jack Lemmon portrayed a troubled PR executive who leads Lee Remick’s sophisticated character into a world of martinis and emptiness. While it effectively portrays the impact of alcohol on a marriage, it lacks the unscrupulous and unrestrained impact of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” a few years later. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, playing a mature couple consumed by their dependence on alcohol, surely frightened many into sobriety.
During the mid-1990s, the film When a Man Loves a Woman portrayed the struggles of a seemingly perfect marriage due to the wife’s alcoholism. Meg Ryan’s intense performance reveals her character’s true nature beyond her public image as America’s sweetheart, and rises above the movie’s slightly exaggerated tone. Similarly, Sandra Bullock aimed for a bold and unconventional role as a wild journalist finding her way through rehab in 28 Days. Although her performance was commendable, the film presents recovery in a more upbeat and unrealistic manner. In contrast, Italian director Ermanno Olmi’s remarkable film The Legend of the Holy Drinker (1988) tells the story of a homeless alcoholic who is given an opportunity to change his life by receiving money, but struggles to resist spending it on alcohol. The film presents the tragedy of alcoholism in the form of a moral tale.
Not all movies about alcohol need to be serious. The 2021 Academy Award winner Another Round by Thomas Vinterberg follows a group of schoolteachers as they experiment with drinking during the day. It successfully strikes a delicate balance between exploring the destructive effects of alcohol and its exhilarating rewards, culminating in a joyous, drunken dance. Alexander Payne’s Sideways also features male bonding over drinks. While its use of wine as a metaphor for life’s true joys may come across as cheesy, it is a relaxed and pleasant study of drinking – a cozy California version of the wild British hedonism portrayed in Withnail and I, which remains a comical celebration of bad habits. Alternatively, there is the grittier American culture depicted in the intriguing hybrid documentary Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets, which pays tribute to dive-bar culture and community.
The 1949 Ealing comedy Whisky Galore! is a joyous film centered around alcohol. It portrays a small island community during wartime, where the unexpected discovery of whiskey becomes a vital source of vitality. Similarly, drinking, specifically of soju, is a common source of pleasure and bonding in the films of prolific South Korean director Hong Sang-soo. Unfortunately, not many of his films are available for streaming. In his latest film, In Front of Your Face (2021), the story revolves around a drunken confession to a stranger. However, it is the 1950 film Harvey, starring James Stewart, that stands out for its unique portrayal of alcoholism. Stewart’s character is portrayed sympathetically as a happy regular at the bar, with his drinking companion being an imaginary human-sized rabbit. This is preferred over living as a “normal” person. Cheers to that!
All titles can be rented on various platforms, unless otherwise noted.
This week’s live broadcast is fresh and new
How to Engage in Sexual Activity
(Mubi)
Molly Manning Walker’s award-winning first film is now streaming on Mubi, offering a vibrant burst of summer energy during the dreary month of January. However, this film is not all about carefree vacation activities. Instead, it presents a sharply observed, lively depiction of sexual boundaries being pushed and crossed during a group trip to Malia, Crete.
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
A heartwarming examination of female camaraderie, Anna Hints’s captivating documentary follows a group of women as they relax in a traditional Estonian sauna nestled in the forest. Rather than focusing on individual appearances, the film delves into the shared experience of physical and emotional catharsis, capturing intimate moments with respect. Through attentive listening, the documentary reveals the life stories of the women as they unfold amidst the steam.
The Exorcist: Believer
Formerly known as the top figure of independent lyrical art in America, filmmaker David Gordon Green has shifted his focus towards exploiting horror franchises with this lackluster comeback to the original demonic-possession film. It only gains a hint of prestige from the appearance of original actors Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair in the cast.
Source: theguardian.com
