Noirtini Hour: The Lost Weekend

Film Noir Meetup: The Lost Weekend (1945)

Let’s talk about movies! Join Portland Movie Club member Jenna M. for The Lost Weekend, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, and Howard da Silva. Don Birnam (Milland) is a struggling writer whose battle with alcoholism has taken over his life. After his brother and girlfriend make plans for a weekend away, Don finds himself alone in New York City, where his desperate search for a drink sends him spiraling into a destructive binge. As the weekend unfolds, Wilder takes us into Don’s increasingly unstable world, blurring the line between reality and hallucination as he struggles with his addiction and the possibility of recovery.

Here’s how The Portland Movie Club meet-ups work:
Just like a book club, we watch the movie on our own time before we meet. We'll meet at Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne at 4pm on the scheduled date. We'll typically have a sign at our table(s), but at least we'll try to be obvious and identifiable. Grab some food and drinks to support our generous hosts and spend some time socializing and discussing this movie with us.

A Few Notes About the Film:
Best known for Double Indemnity (1944) and Sunset Boulevard (1950), Billy Wilder brought his trademark cynicism and sharp eye for human weakness to this unflinching portrait of addiction. Based on Charles R. Jackson’s 1944 novel, The Lost Weekend was unusually frank about alcoholism for its time, challenging Hollywood’s conventions for what could be shown on screen. Ray Milland won Best Actor for his portrayal of Don Birnam, and the film won four Academy Awards in 1946, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Though not a conventional crime noir, it shares many of the genre’s darker themes: a flawed protagonist, self-destruction, desperation, distorted reality, and a man trapped by his own choices. Cinematographer John F. Seitz, who also shot Double Indemnity, creates an oppressive, shadow-filled atmosphere that makes Don’s downward spiral all the more unsettling.

Viewing Options for the film:
As of the date of this posting, The Lost Weekend is available to stream for free with ads on Mometu. Other streaming options include renting the film through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. For physical viewing, Movie Madness has two copies to rent, as well as MultCo Library. If anyone knows of any additional streaming or viewing options, please comment on the event.

About the Film Noir group:
This meetup explores classic and neo-noir films, focusing on shadowy visuals, morally gray characters, doomed romances, and crime stories where nobody’s hands are clean. We’ll watch a mix of essential noirs and modern films inspired by the genre, paying attention to themes like fate, corruption, obsession, and alienation. These films often deal with violence, crime, and heavy subject matter, so content can be intense at times; checking a site like www.doesthedogdie.com is encouraged if you prefer content warnings.

Tips:
Once again, we do not watch the movie at the meet-up. All members watch the movie on their own time before we meet to discuss it. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you do.
Some people like to take notes or find books and articles related to the film and its subject matter; feel free to bring those things along if there's something you'd like to share with the group.
At the end of the discussion, we'll pass around a ballot where we can vote on a slate of options for the next discussion.

Films previously discussed in the Film Noir group:
Gun Crazy, Dial M for Murder, Sudden Fear, The Maltese Falcon, Kiss Me Deadly, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Stranger on the Third Floor, The Postman Always Rings Twice and Pickup on South Street.

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