Drunks (1995)

At the beginning of a nightly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Jim seems particularly troubled. His sponsor encourages him to talk that night, the first time in seven months, so he does - and ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Cohn

Writers:

Gary Lennon (play), Gary Lennon (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Lewis, Liza Harris, Liam Ahern

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Lewis	...	Jim
Liza Harris	...	Melanie
Liam Ahern	...	Billy
George Martin	...	Marty
Sam Rockwell	...	Tony
Amanda Plummer	...	Shelley
Kevin Corrigan	...	Cam
Fanni Green	...	Jasmine
Parker Posey	...	Debbie
Dianne Wiest	...	Rachel
Billy Dove	...	Leo
Julie Halston	...	Carol
Faye Dunaway	...	Becky
LisaGay Hamilton	...	Brenda
Calista Flockhart	...	Helen

Storyline

At the beginning of a nightly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Jim seems particularly troubled. His sponsor encourages him to talk that night, the first time in seven months, so he does - and leaves the meeting right after. As Jim wanders the night, searching for some solace in his old stomping grounds, bars and parks where he bought drugs, the meeting goes on, and we hear the stories of survivors and addicts - some, like Louis, who claim to have wandered in looking for choir practice, who don't call themselves alcoholic, and others, like Joseph, whose drinking almost caused the death of his child - as they talk about their lives at the meeting.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | drugs | alcoholics anonymous | bar | bartender | 

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Taglines:

All they want is another shot...

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong language, substance abuse and a sex scene

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alcohòlics

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

BMG Independents, Kardana Films, Northern Lights Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Script began as a play, "Blackout", which ran Off-Broadway in 1990.

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Quotes

Debbie: You want to talk about bad blackouts? I was married in one. I was married in a blackout, I'm serious. I was 19 years old. I was married for 6 weeks, yeah. I was married to this guy named Wild Bob. That was his full name, Wild Bob. So I guess I was Mrs. Wild Bob. Hi everyone, welcome to my life. Do you Debbie, take Wild Bob to be your lawfully wedded husband? I do.

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Connections

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

User Reviews

Whoever thought Richard Louis could actually act?

WOW!!!! As a movie goer who watches at least four films per week, and who is very interested in the harrowing politics of the human soul, I can safely say that there has never been a better movie about alcoholism (no, not even "Days of Wine and Roses") than "Drunks". When I read the plot synopsis on the back cover of the tape case, I was expecting some preachy AA recruitment nonsense. This movie was nothing of the sort. "Drunks" is, for better or worse, a very realistic treatment of addiction, and of 12 step programs in general. The format of the film juxtaposes monologues from AA members during a meeting, with one off- the- wagon evening in the life of Richard Louis' character (I can't remember his name).

Richard Louis is not one of my favorite comedians (understatement of the year), but he pulls off a tour de force performance here. Due to Louis's textured performance, towards the end of "Drunks" I reached a full

understanding of his character, and the knowledge that recovery isn't just "quitting the sauce", but an individual's willingness to look his demons in the eye, and face up to his own particular hell. The ensemble cast of talented actors (including Calista Flockhart, Faye Dunawaye, Dianne Weist, Parker Posey, and a highly amusing Spaulding Grey) do wonders with their monolouges, which are so well written, you feel like you are there, eavesdropping on a meeting in a Times Square church meeting. I absolutely recommend this movie. I wish that it had gotten more publicity during its original theatrical release.