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The Lost Weekend
The Lost Weekend
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The Lost Weekend

The Lost Weekend

1945
Drama
1h 41m
The desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four day drinking bout. (imdb)

Directed by:

Billy Wilder

Screenwriter:

Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, Charles R. Jackson

Starring:

Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Howard Da Silva, Phillip Terry, Doris Dowling, Frank Faylen, Frank Orth, Anita Sharp-Bolster, Lilian Fontaine

Genre:

Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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The Lost Weekend

1945
Drama
1h 41m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 68.38% from 1244 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 12 Mar 2007
75
54th
Drunk acting is a pet peeve is mine, but Ray Milland does a great job of it here. This is remarkably frank depiction of alcoholism. But like many other "issues movies" of its time, it wraps things up a little too neatly at the end. Somewhere there's a nice middle ground between this and Leaving Las Vegas. Don't have much else to say... it was a decent watch, but nothing too special.
Rated 12 Mar 2007
ragingbeanRagingBean
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
20th
Jane Wyman was the world's most annoying cunt in The Lost Weekend. Just let him drink you bitch!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nobambanobamba
Rated 17 Dec 2019
80
88th
Powerful movie about alcoholism/addiction. Jane Wyman was a bit too idealistic. Fav scene: probably when the onscreen "I'm bad for you" and "I'll save you" trope was born.
Rated 17 Dec 2019
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 22 Jul 2018
90
94th
Holy crap, I was not expecting this, a film that puts the noir in "film noir", this was exceptionally dark for the 1940s. A terrifying, tense and fairly accurate portrayal inside the mind of an addict that stands up remarkably well today, and a Best Picture winner that's uncharacteristically experimental and formalistic. Great performances from the entire cast and Wilder uses some great expressionist camerawork portray the protagonist's subtext and create a nightmare-ish mood.
Rated 22 Jul 2018
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 22 Mar 2007
80
60th
Dated, but not entirely problematic to its story telling. It's a movie that delves deep into what alcoholism can do to ones live and the lives of everyone they are close to. But a lot of the mentalities behind this addiction feel strange considering how much has really changed since the 40s regarding the topic.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 27 Feb 2007
3
38th
Inevitably some of the film's ideas about alcoholism are dated, but Milland turns in a really great performance, at once charismatic yet paranoid, desperate and pathetic.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 18 Jul 2019
89
93rd
When two whiskey bottles produce merely half a shot? Man, that's hard.
Rated 18 Jul 2019
neurophateneurophate
Rated 04 Mar 2018
84
84th
Disappointed by the ending. Would be better with the opposite.
Rated 04 Mar 2018
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 29 Nov 2016
7
58th
I don't know how many bottles of beer I have consumed while waiting for things to get better I don't know how much wine and whisky and beer mostly beer I have consumed after splits with women- waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for the sound of footsteps, and the phone never rings and the footsteps never arrive until much later when my stomach is coming up out of my mouth - CB
Rated 29 Nov 2016
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 05 Jun 2011
75
52nd
Of course, Wilder is never bad per se, but he plays this one out in a kind of dramatically self gratifying way. The writing is good, and the acting is nothing to complain about. It's basically a good watch that you'll probably never talk about or remember in a particularly good light.
Rated 05 Jun 2011
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 02 Jun 2009
82
89th
A bit hokey and underwhelming. Thankfully Milland gives a great performance and the writing is top notch.
Rated 02 Jun 2009
heandhishairheandhishair
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
74th
Certainly not my favorite Wilder, but it's still a decent flick and a great performance by Ray Milland.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
94
98th
Amazingly deep movie about alcoholism and the problems with addiction. For a movie from 1945 it does a great job of avoiding cliches and dealing seriously with the subject matter.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
bownBown
Rated 07 Oct 2024
79
49th
Despite some very of-their-time elements (particularly the use of music) this is a very good depiction of alcoholism bolstered by a superb lead performance and Wilder’s usual excellent filmmaking.
Rated 07 Oct 2024
faveryfavery
Rated 15 Sep 2024
50
43rd
The dialogue felt forced but watching the protagonist cheat and lie to himself and others to get from drink to drink was intense.
Rated 15 Sep 2024
breweebrewee
Rated 29 Sep 2023
75
63rd
Would've been a great film if it weren't for that stupid ending
Rated 29 Sep 2023
kavuKavu
Rated 02 Feb 2023
87
89th
Seems a bit melodramatic by today's standards, but it's quite captivating nevertheless. And to think how it looked back then.
Rated 02 Feb 2023
onyedionyedi
Rated 01 Nov 2022
78
70th
Wilder never ceases to amaze us. Storytelling is perfect, the noir atmosphere is very well constructed, and Don Birnam is an excellent character. However, other characters are one-sided, story is rather simple and alcoholism is not a story I am craving for. This is probably the best you can get from this story, so hats off to Wilder.
Rated 01 Nov 2022
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 01 Oct 2022
88
92nd
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 04 Sep 2022
80
72nd
It's like an entire season of Bojack Horseman condensed into a single movie
Rated 04 Sep 2022
twincinematwincinema
Rated 08 May 2022
80
75th
In 1945, $10 would buy you two bottles of rye and, like, 9 shots. Ray Milland seems like a darker Jimmy Stewart. I wish the film explained a little more why Wyman was so attracted to Milland. Also, love that the piano guy had a song on the ready about someone getting caught stealing a purse.
Rated 08 May 2022
honeybHoneyB
Rated 17 Jul 2021
86
89th
Expectations can kill in various ways, in this case through alcohol.
Rated 17 Jul 2021
heynicefilmHeyNiceFilm
Rated 09 May 2021
60
19th
A tale as old as time: a writer drinks because he feels he's a shitty writer which makes him actually become a shitty writer so he drinks because he feels like a shitty writer causing him to... that's the bulk of this movie except he visits a couple places along the way. It has a heart at its core and its Billy Wilder so the writing is sharp.
Rated 09 May 2021
filliganFilligan
Rated 14 Apr 2021
89
75th
The film does an excellent job building up the believability of Milland's struggle -- so much so that by the latter half when things really go off the rails, I still found myself believing, gripped to the harrowing lows possible when the battle to addiction is being lost.
Rated 14 Apr 2021
chengmingchengming
Rated 05 Feb 2021
65
47th
Ah man, I really don't like this theatrical acting. The story is rather simple too, and the dated special effects detract more than they create an emotion. Otherwise the cinematography was pretty good though - plus some nice NYC street scenes.
Rated 05 Feb 2021
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 07 Nov 2020
80
78th
The IMDB write-up ("The desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four day drinking bout") doesn't do this justice. It's a mostly-tight character study with some witty lines along with a few soliloquies. The score seemed overpowering at times, but worked best during the hallucination sequence. Feels preachy now, but still presents a fair view of the closet alcoholic's demons.
Rated 07 Nov 2020
simsorutsimsorut
Rated 26 Aug 2020
94
96th
I can't take quiet desperation.
Rated 26 Aug 2020
punqPUNQ
Rated 28 Nov 2019
80
99th
Alcoholism. Serious subject as we go on a four day bender. Sure, some of this is done in that cartoonish style of old Hollywood, but it gets quite hefty. No doubt these troubles is nothing to take lightly even if they sugarcoat it some. Probable the best I've seen Ray Milland. Didn't expect such a dark cloud hanging over this. Jane Wyman was the ray of sunlight, but there's no hiding that there were more storm clouds in The Lost Weekend (1945). An always relevant movie from Billy Wilder.
Rated 28 Nov 2019
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 07 Apr 2019
69
73rd
It's like an alcohol-fuelled night out. Great fun and impact in the beginning before it gets less impressive and sometimes even rather dull.
Rated 07 Apr 2019
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 12 Mar 2019
90
77th
90.00
Rated 12 Mar 2019
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 02 Mar 2018
82
85th
A high-quality drama from the back catalogue of the great Billy Wilder. The film is supposed to be about a weekend away from the city, but our man ends up in a 48-hour downward spiral of relentless drinking and deception, the behaviour of a true addict. Interspersed with flashbacks of his best and worst moments. By the end, you really feel you have lived his life and are willing him to break free of the curse. Ray Milland puts you through the wringer like "It's a Wonderful Life" for alcoholics.
Rated 02 Mar 2018
mike365365mike365365
Rated 16 Aug 2017
84
96th
The terror of alcohol withdrawal at a time when you couldn't just pop in to the local ER for some valium.
Rated 16 Aug 2017
phantom_nookPhantom Nook
Rated 30 Nov 2016
80
86th
An interesting look into the effects of alcoholism that shocks even today. Also I read that this was one of the first movies to use the theremin in its musical score, which did make some scenes pretty effective.
Rated 30 Nov 2016
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 04 Mar 2015
85
98th
Excellent.
Rated 04 Mar 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
90
96th
2nd viewing
Rated 03 Dec 2014
neonmanNeonman
Rated 15 Sep 2014
82
70th
I'm surprised a film that's this sympathetic to alcoholics came out when it did, but this doesn't aim to condemn or condone the alcoholic main character, just portray him. Neat cinematography here and there that really shows the depths of the bottle Don has gotten to, and he is brilliantly acted by Milland (if not, this film would've sucked).
Rated 15 Sep 2014
wokelsteinwokelstein
Rated 29 Aug 2014
54
28th
Wilder is one of the masters of noir and it shows up here. There is no shortage of thick downbeat post-war mood and style. But it's beyond annoying that this one won Best Picture instead of SUNSET BOULEVARD or DOUBLE INDEMNITY. Relentlessly one-note and unilluminating. And WTF about all the pawn shops being closed for Yom Kippur?!
Rated 29 Aug 2014
mandymandy
Rated 08 Aug 2014
7
73rd
Quite bleak for it's time but looks a little dated now.
Rated 08 Aug 2014
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 10 Jul 2014
50
38th
Pretty silly, but in the end it has some trippy (if still silly) scenes, such as the hospital scene and one involving a rat and a bat. Ray Millard does a good job in the lead, but the movie would have benefited from less tacky text, and perhaps, more convincing rodents.
Rated 10 Jul 2014
nepetaNepeta
Rated 01 Jul 2014
55
22nd
The high praise for this is confusing. As an exploration of the effects of alcoholism it feels quite on the nose and though Milland's performance is impressive this can't quite make up for the silly hallucination scenes, Wilder's inappropriately quirky plotting and the score which sounds like something out of a '50s sci-fi B-movie. Still it's dramatically engaging, and more interesting when seen as about how society's attitude towards alcoholics only exacerbates their situation.
Rated 01 Jul 2014
soaromsoarom
Rated 31 May 2014
90
78th
Inspiring and gut wrenching. W'ere only as addicted as we believe we are.
Rated 31 May 2014
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 23 May 2014
80
57th
The first half soars with its brilliant dialog, but halfway through the movie shifts into melodrama, and the scene with the bat and mouse...jeeze.
Rated 23 May 2014
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 20 Apr 2013
84
90th
Such a mesmerizing character study about a self-destructive and failed writer that feels like a typical prototype of of WW2 traumas, fears and consequences, carried by a haunting performance by Milland and a bleak, often tragic, narrative. His monologues are simply great, and the suggestion comprised by the first and the last shots -- both are the same, showing what could be an entire New York of Dons -- reveals a gloomy Hollywood statement about those times.
Rated 20 Apr 2013
mkellinsmkellins
Rated 09 Mar 2013
75
85th
The movie portrays the mind of an alcoholic quite realistically. Acting is generally good and writing excellent. The dialogue is well though-out and witty. What I especially enjoyed, was the camerawork. They used some really imaginative view angles.
Rated 09 Mar 2013
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 07 Mar 2013
80
90th
A very honest and clever movie about addiction. The direction is effective with some nifty tricks thrown in and Ray Milland is very convincing. The dry humour fits the desperation of Mr. Birnam's situation and the serious tone of the movie perfectly. The abrupt ending is surely Billy Wilder's subtle way of circumventing the Hollywood moral code. Having yet to write a single line, Birnam is already planning who he will send the book to, but we all know his next bender is just around the corner.
Rated 07 Mar 2013
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 27 Jan 2013
30
17th
Rampant overacting by Ray Milland in this story about alcohol addiction. The music is frequently over dramatic, and this movie has the first use of the Theremin so it frequently sounds like a Sci-Fi movie. About a desperate alcoholic who frequently lets people down. You sure could buy a lot of booze in 1945 with just $10. It tries to show the desperation of his addiction. Quite dated. Doris Dowling is gorgeous but has a small part.
Rated 27 Jan 2013
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 16 Jul 2012
75
62nd
Its biggest plus is Ray Milland's performance. It's a realistic look at a real problem at least the way it was looked at back then. Unfortunately the ending was a bit melodramatic. The story is all not all that great, but it's worth the watch just for Milland.
Rated 16 Jul 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 24 Mar 2012
68
33rd
alkolizm, bagimlilik, yazar, alkol, (alkolik bir adamin alkol icin yapabileceklerini anlatiyor. Tam bir didaktik film olmus. ama beni pek sarmadi)
Rated 24 Mar 2012
damildamil
Rated 24 Jan 2012
70
67th
This film dramatises alcohol and its negative effects. Probably overly so. I don't have a whole lot to say about this film, but it was good. The direction, the writing, the performances, the music - all well-done.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 13 Dec 2011
100
99th
A classic, in my top 20 of all time. A great movie about addiction. Ray Milland gives a top notch performance. Another great Billy Wilder film.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
chr1sCHR1S
Rated 30 Aug 2011
73
66th
It's a good story, but the ending and poor acting from Jane Wyman are quite disappointing. Also; it feels quite dated nowadays.
Rated 30 Aug 2011
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 28 Jun 2011
70
19th
Very well-made, but towards the end it just couldn't keep my interest.
Rated 28 Jun 2011
hezarfenHezarfen
Rated 26 Jan 2011
50
23rd
How it has dated is great. The acting is all a bit hammed up by everyone, pretty convincing protrait of a desperate alcoholic, but the acting and the silly happy ending all get in the way.
Rated 26 Jan 2011
ramiroRamiro
Rated 26 Jan 2011
74
69th
More dramatic than Hollywood was used too. Loved the rat/bat scene.
Rated 26 Jan 2011
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 22 Jan 2011
4
35th
Pretty absurd but it has its moments. The acting for the most part is pretty awful and I'm sure this was pretty riveting for the time but we have this show called Intervention now and that is way more interesting and makes this crap look really dated. I think Ed Wood stole some of this soundtrack for Plan 9, sounds exactly the same.
Rated 22 Jan 2011
seanberndorffSeanBerndorff
Rated 20 Jan 2011
80
75th
Was surprised how good this was, because I've read everywhere that it was supposed to be dated. Alcoholism might be a more common addiction now but it's still extremely relevant and the movie hasn't lost its poignancy. That scene in the theatre is simply just brutal. Excellent performance by Milland.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
okidudeokidude
Rated 30 Oct 2010
4
78th
Although a groundbreaking exploration of alcoholism, this film was surpassed by "The Days of Wine and Roses" 15 years later. The redemption ending felt too sudden and forced for me to connect.
Rated 30 Oct 2010
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 22 Aug 2010
60
36th
Amongst the Billy Wilder stuff I've seen, this seems the most dated.
Rated 22 Aug 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 29 Jan 2010
90
83rd
Well written and directed film about alcoholism. it contains elements of both humor and horror--both perfectly integrated into the whole.
Rated 29 Jan 2010
castrophCastroph
Rated 18 Jan 2010
9
96th
No one can play a better drunk than Ray Milland.
Rated 18 Jan 2010
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 09 Apr 2009
100
93rd
Startlingly original on its release, this stark little drama keeps its power, especially in the scenes on New York streets and in a dipso ward. It could scarcely have been more effectively filmed.
Rated 09 Apr 2009
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 30 Sep 2008
3
45th
A good film, if a little weak. There are some flaws; it's pretty dated and much of the acting from the supporting cast isn't very good (Jane Wyman was on my nerves throughout). Even so, the subject matter is appealing and quite interesting for the time. It's a pretty honest and frank depiction of alcoholism. Ray Milland turns in a decent performance, and he especially shines in the bar scenes opposite Howard Da Silva.
Rated 30 Sep 2008
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 25 Sep 2008
50
34th
I've been living this since 1981. What's the drama???
Rated 25 Sep 2008
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 27 Apr 2008
80
76th
This remarkably serious and grief-stricken drama from Billy Wilder is at times painful to sit through - in a good way; the protagonist's anguish, frustration and lack of determination are suggested by a director constantly insisting to depict a truthful (mental) reality.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
jstryjstry
Rated 19 Feb 2008
84
71st
A good story. Keeps you interested. The Jane Wyman character is a little irritating, but awesome acting by Ray Milland.
Rated 19 Feb 2008
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 18 Nov 2007
78
22nd
Jane Wyman always irritates me.
Rated 18 Nov 2007
willofgaiawillofgaia
Rated 29 Jun 2007
85
58th
Drunk acting in film is usually pretty hammy, but Ray Milland does a fairly good job at making seem believable. The film is at its best when we watch Birnum's reactions to the world around him in his drunken stupor and at it's worst when Jane Wyman's character tries to moralize everything. Probably Wilder's darkest film, with some almost Lynchian moments creeping in towards the end of the film.
Rated 29 Jun 2007
stainStain
Rated 02 Jun 2007
100
95th
A beautiful and terrifying look at addiction. Absolutely not to be missed
Rated 02 Jun 2007

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