Days of Wine and Roses

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Days of Wine and Roses

Released Dec 26, 1962

1h 57m

Drama

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15 Reviews

89%

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2,500+ Ratings

Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) is a rising young public relations executive when he meets Kirsten Arnesen (Lee Remick), a pretty secretary, at a business party. Joe and Kirsten are both ambitious, and they are on the road to success when they fall in love and marry. Soon after, however, Joe coaxes Kirsten to begin drinking with him on a regular basis. Eventually, they are both dependent on alcohol. Their marriage deteriorates, and their lives spiral into disaster, as a result.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

The movie plays like an extended ad for Prohibition, three decades after it ended.

Dec 30, 2019

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

There is a kind of nervy, self-loathing sycophant whom Jack Lemmon can play better than any other actor in America: he did it in The Apartment, and there is a harrowing variant in his new film, Days of Wine and Roses.

Mar 9, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the meandering (and sporadically repetitious) narrative prevents the viewer from wholeheartedly connecting to the central characters' progressively downbeat plight...

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 20, 2021

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Marlene Matouk

Tampa Bay Times

Lemmon scores a brilliant and consistently superb performance... guaranteed to send chills up and down your spine, and it's Miss Remick's best performance to date.

Jan 13, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Lemmon has given a sizable number of terrific performances over his career, and this one qualifies as a Top 10 entry. As for Remick, she's never been better.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 10, 2019

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Jack Lemmon, hitherto chiefly identified with comedy roles, establishes himself as an actor of impressive range in this tough-minded Hollywood drama about alcoholism.

Oct 7, 2019

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Rare T

This made me want to have a drink.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Grahame G

The greenhouse scene shows the insanity in perfect detail, I could identify so much with this film . Must see and long overdue return to to screens.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Mitch C

The lead two actors at the top of their game. Perhaps Jack Lemon's finest. Warning: it's not a feel good movie. It's brutally honest and sad. Great film. Period.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

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Karl O

Now comes off as such an insultingly simplistic representation of alcoholism. I've been there. Lemmon was always overrated. The greenhouse scene has to rank as one of the most stupid pieces of cinema I've ever watched. Does anyone still rank this?

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

For a realistic look at the ravages of alcoholism, watch this film and skip the Oscar-winning but laughable "The Lost Weekend." IMO this is perhaps the only time that Jack Lemmon actually ACTED, and Lee Remick gave the performance of her career.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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john k

Great movie and outstanding acting by Jack Lemmon playing an alcoholic , it's like he's playing it on experience

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Blake Edwards

Director

Jack Lemmon

Joe Clay

Lee Remick

Kirsten Arnesen Clay

Charles Bickford

Ellis Arnesen

Jack Klugman

Jim Hungerford

Alan Hewitt

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Synopsis

Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) is a rising young public relations executive when he meets Kirsten Arnesen (Lee Remick), a pretty secretary, at a business party. Joe and Kirsten are both ambitious, and they are on the road to success when they fall in love and marry. Soon after, however, Joe coaxes Kirsten to begin drinking with him on a regular basis. Eventually, they are both dependent on alcohol. Their marriage deteriorates, and their lives spiral into disaster, as a result.

Director: Blake Edwards
Producer: Martin Manulis
Screenwriter: J.P. Miller
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Jalem Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 26, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2010
Runtime: 1h 57m

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