The Lost Weekend hit theaters on November 29, 1945, and let’s just say it wasn’t your typical feel-good post-war flick. Directed by Billy Wilder, this film dives into the life of Don Birnam (Ray Milland), an alcoholic writer on a multi-day bender that’s as raw as it is unsettling. Jane Wyman co-stars, but it’s Milland’s haunting performance that steals the show—earning him a well-deserved Oscar. Critics and audiences were blown away by the film’s unflinching portrayal of addiction, a topic not often tackled in 1940s Hollywood. With its gritty storytelling and Wilder’s sharp direction, it snagged four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and shared top honors at Cannes. It’s one of only three films in history to win both awards—talk about a cinematic heavyweight. Though some might find its impact slightly dulled over time, it’s a classic for a reason, preserved in the National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
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