Days of Wine and Roses, written by J.P. Miller, directed by Blake Edwards, 9 out of 10

Days of Wine and Roses, written by J.P. Miller, directed by Blake Edwards

9 out of 10

Notes and thoughts on other books are available at:

-              https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEVa4_CsRStSBBDo4uJWT8BSWtTTn0N1E and   http://realini.blogspot.ro/

This is a fantastic, if very sad masterpiece.

Days of Wine and Roses is included on The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list available here:

-           http://www.listchallenges.com/new-york-times-best-1000-movies-ever-made/checklist/6

It is surprising to find in the director’s chair Blake Edwards, the director and/or writer of splendid comedies:

-          The Pink Panther, The Party, Victor/Victoria, Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again

Given that Days of Wine and Roses is a drama that explores the extreme depths to which people can descend, this is in total contrast with the Panther sequels or the other sunny, amusing comedies of the director/writer.

Jack Lemmon has had some tremendous, fascinating roles in some classic comedies that have entered Cinema History:

-          Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, The Odd Couple, The Fortune Cookie, Buddy Buddy and others

But he has proved his outstanding, breathtaking talent in dramas, other than Days of Wine and Roses, like:

-          Glengarry Glen Ross, JFK, Missing, The China Syndrome

Jack Lemmon is Joe Clay in Days of Wine and Roses and meets Kirsten Arnesen-later Clay- portrayed by the sensational Lee Remick.

Recently I had the chance to see Lee Remick, in one of her early roles, announcing the future acclaimed actress.

A Face in the Crowd, with Lee Remick as a cheerleader that becomes the lover of the hero is reviewed here: http://realini.blogspot.ro/2017/05/a-face-in-crowd-screenplay-written-by.html?q=a+face+in+the+crowd

When Joe and Kirsten first come across each other, sparks are not flying and there is no love at first sight.

On the contrary, Joe takes the then secretary for a sort of a party girl that has to attend a party given by a prince.

Joe is a PR man that has trouble accepting some aspects of his work that include providing girls for rich men.

If not exactly pimping, it does not seem too ethical or full of high meaning either and when trying to explain to Kirsten’s father what he does, he has difficulty saying: “I try to let the world know about the good that my client is doing…”

-          What about when your employer makes a mistake?

-          Well…I guess that I try to see that his image is not too damaged…or words to that effect

But the main trouble is alcohol and Joe is the first responsible for the issue, as it brinks drink into the relationship.

To begin with, Kirsten rejects Joe and is even harsh with the man who brings a gift, but then feels sorry- probably.

They get out to dinner and the man is ordering a drink for his date, who at that time was unfamiliar with alcohol.

Joe had been very familiar with booze, already close to addiction and he takes care to give the woman a…Hamilton was the name of the drink?

Anyway, I am thinking it could have been something close to Baileys ‘or whiskey cream, for Kirsten likes it very much.

They both go on a downward spiral from here and the film is mainly a lesson on what can happen to alcoholics.

And other addictions for that matter, all of them creating a dependency on substances, liquids that end up by destroying people’s lives:

“Joe Clay: I walked by Union Square Bar. I was going to go in. Then I saw myself - my reflection in the window - and I thought, "I wonder who that bum is?" And then I saw it was me. Now look at me. I'm a bum. Look at me! Look at you. You're a bum. Look at you. And look at us. Look at us. C'mon look at us! See? A couple of bums.”