Discussion of "The Lost Weekend"

The Lost Weekend is a 1945 American drama directed by Billy Wilder and starring Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. The screenplay was written by Wilder and Charles Brackett based on the novel by Charles R. Jackson. The cinematography is by John F. Seitz, and the music is by Miklos Rozsa.

New York writer Don Birnam (Milland), is packing for a weekend vacation with his brother Wick (Philip Terry). Don, who is an alcoholic, is desperately trying to get out of traveling out of town. When his girlfriend Helen St. James (Wyman) arrives with gifts and two tickets to an afternoon concert, Don suggests that Wick go to the concert instead of him. Don’s goal is to get drunk and forget about the weekend trip.
So begins a downward spiral into severe alcoholism, where Don will do anything for a drink.

Will Don be able to claw his way back to sobriety and a stable life with Helen?

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