Smashed

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Smashed

R

Released Oct 12, 2012

1h 21m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

106 Reviews

68%

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10,000+ Ratings

Los Angeles schoolteacher Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and her husband, Charlie (Aaron Paul), each have a drinking problem. Up to now, her life seems like one big, boozy party, but her latest drinking binge catches up to her at work, and she later spends the night alone on the street. Kate now realizes that she has hit rock bottom. She agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with the school's vice principal (Nick Offerman) and takes her first step on the challenging road to sobriety.

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Critics Consensus

Smashed resists the temptation to play up its serious subject matter for high theatrics, opting instead to let its gentle tone and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's marvelous performance carry the day.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Smashed tells a familiar story with subtle simplicity, never beating the audience over the head with its themes or ideas.

Rated: 3/4

May 16, 2022

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

While writer/director James Ponsoldt's screenplay tends to saunter along at times as it seeps further into starkness, Winstead and Paul's performances will keep you engaged until the end.

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2017

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

A film that's good on general atmosphere, totally sincere and not too sentimental.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2012

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

This may be Winstead's show, but Ponsoldt displays a remarkable restraint that demonstrates a keen directorial instinct.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 6, 2019

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

There's nothing completely astonishing or shocking that goes on in Smashed, but that's not to say it isn't captivating and completely worth your time.

Aug 5, 2019

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Smashed is wall-to-wall good intentions from the moment Kate decides to go to a meeting.

Jan 3, 2019

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Faiz D

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is at her best, delivering a gutsy, intelligent performance as a young married school teacher dealing with out-of-control behavior.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Babz J

I first saw this film when it was released and it had an impact on me then. Revisiting it now I am even more impressed by the subtlety of the script, which is sensitive and honest and even funny, but without poking fun at any of its characters. This feels like a very contemporary story about alcoholism and for a generation where binge drinking is normalized and acceptable. Winstead delivers a generous and warm performance that feels authentic and natural. It's a small film with a big theme.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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chkn m

one of the best acting i have ever seen from mary elizabeth winstead, definitely recommend watching this

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

Full Review

Руслан Г

чудовий приклад мотивації для людей які мають алкогольну залежність або вже позбулися її. Мені як колишньому алкоголіку було корисно переглянути і впевнитися в черговий раз, що алкоголь це лише про погане. Відмінний фільм

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

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Georgan G

3.25 stars. This film was good, but has been done so many times before. If you are looking for an mostly uplifting plot, this could be it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

j F

The acting was superb, and the story slowly, painfully told. For those of us who have dealed with the issue, it's a disturbing, compelling film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

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James Ponsoldt

Director

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Kate

Aaron Paul

Charlie

Nick Offerman

Mr. Davies

Megan Mullally

Principal Barnes

Kyle Gallner

Owen Hannah

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Synopsis

Los Angeles schoolteacher Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and her husband, Charlie (Aaron Paul), each have a drinking problem. Up to now, her life seems like one big, boozy party, but her latest drinking binge catches up to her at work, and she later spends the night alone on the street. Kate now realizes that she has hit rock bottom. She agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with the school's vice principal (Nick Offerman) and takes her first step on the challenging road to sobriety.

Director: James Ponsoldt
Producer: Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea Sperling, Jennifer Cochis
Screenwriter: James Ponsoldt, Susan Burke
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Super Crispy Entertainment
Rating: R (Brief Drug Use|Alcohol Abuse|Language|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $376.0K
Runtime: 1h 21m

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