Today I thought I’d write a post about my personal Top-5 of movies about alcohol addiction (or at least it playing a big role) and that really impacted me.
Perhaps you have not seen (some of) them yet or you would like to re-watch them (some are from quite some time ago ;)). Now would be a great time to do so, it being Dry January and all! These 5 productions really spoke to me. In some, I cried my eyes out as they’re quite sad and hardcore. Others are more light-hearted. They all contain small (and sometimes bigger) things that I found relatable and slightly confronting. I hope they perhaps help you, maybe to reflect on your own alcohol use or in any other way. They are for sure interesting and well worth watching!
Here we go…
1. A Star Is Born
Movie / 2018 – A musical, romantic drama about a classic love story, with great music and a devastating role of alcohol. The main parts are played by Lady Gaga (that voice, OMG😵) & one of my most favourite actors éver: Bradley Cooper. Cooper, who is 45 years old, has been sober for more than 15 years!! A fact that makes me an even bigger fan…
2. 28 Days
Movie / 2000 – A comedy/drama about a big-city newspaper columnist (played by Sandra Bullock – big girl crush here! She’s so funny…). She is obliged to enter rehab for alcoholism due to her causing a big car accident. This is a bit of a lighter movie but therefore easier to relate to (for me at least).
3. Leaving Las Vegas
Movie / 1995 – A romantic drama about a screenwriter who lost everything because of alcoholism and moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. A dark movie insanely well played by Nicolas Cage with a big role for Elisabeth Shue as the woman he gets romantically involved with. The movie is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by John O’Brien, who committed suicide after signing away the film rights to the novel.
4. The Queen´s Gambit
Miniseries / 2020 – A historical drama set in the Cold War era, in which an orphaned chess prodigy (phenomenally played by Anya Taylor-Joy) struggles with addiction (alcohol & pills) in a quest to become the greatest chess player in the world. A beautiful series, I found it really gripping with great acting.
5. The Flight Attendant
TV series / 2020 – A thriller/comedy/drama/mystery in which a reckless alcoholic flight attendant (played by Kaley Cuoco, the girl-next-door in The Big Bang Theory) finds herself in a tricky situation. The series is renewed for a second season. This series is a combination of dark, funny and tragic which really spoke to me.
Have you seen these movies about alcohol addiction yet? What did you think? Can you recommend any other movies and/or series in which alcohol plays a major role? Would love to hear from you in the comment section below…!
Also, are you still on the look out for nice alcohol-free drinks to celebrate Dry January? Then click here fore lots of those 😉
