Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick star in this very powerful film on how alcoholics love to drink together. Jack is a young struggling public relations executive who drinks to forget his problems and introduces Lee to alcohol due to her love of chocolate. Jack outperforms himself in two scenes; the greenhouse and the liquor store at the lake A classic to not be missed.

Starring Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. Milland won an Academy Award for his classic portrayal of an alcoholic who tries to kill himself. Milland's character slowly evolves as he steals and lies his way to another drink. Two great scenes - Milland in the Alcoholic Asylum at Bellevue and his vision of a Bat and a mouse in his apartment.

ALCOHOLISM IN THE MOVIES

Starring James Wood and James Garner. My Name is Bill W. portrays the beginning of the AA organization in 1936. Great costumes and period music. Always cry at the ending. Love the scene where James is screaming that he is not sick and then runs into a tree.

Starring Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia. This romantic picture shows how Meg fights her alcoholism while dealing with Andy's inability to understand her need to do it alone. Love the scene where Meg is drunk and falls from the boat into the water while Andy jumps in after her.

Starring Michael Keaton. Clean and Sober takes a hard look at an alcoholic/addict who refuses to acknowledge his condition. Best scene is where Keaton is in rehab and asks the group whether he can change the channel on the TV in the group  room.

Starring Nicolas Cage and Elizabeth Shue. Nick is an alcoholic who has lost everything in California and decides to go to Las Vegas to end his life. After meeting up with Shue, who is a prostitute, the movie follows both of them on their dysfunctional journeys. Great sex scene at the pool in the desert.

Starring Sandra Bullock. This picture beautifully portrays a woman trying to overcome drugs and alcohol in rehab while dealing with her alcoholic boyfriend. Fab scene where Sandra is out on a limb while having an out-of-body experience.

Starring Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres. A father-son underwater adventure featuring Nemo, a boy clownfish, stolen from his coral reef home. His timid father must then search the ocean to find him. Best scene - AA meeting with sharks.

Jeff Bridges, a famous radio show host loses everything when one of sick listeners goes on a shooting rampage. Serious yet comic, the picture stars Robin Williams, Mercedes Ruhl and Amanda Plummer. Excellent cameo performance by Michael Jeter doing an Ethel Merman impersonation.

Starring Bette Midler. Great picture if you like to look at an alcoholic/drug addict kill herself. Should be re-titled a new look at Janis Joplin. Lots of tension and great behind-the-scenes looks at performers and the entertainment industry. Wonderful scene where Bette performs with Bette impersonators.

Starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley. A gripping exploration of the American Dream gone awry. The storyline is powerful and Jennifer plays an incredibly believable alcoholic. I would not be surprised if Connelly and Kingsley are both nominated for Oscars. Best scene -Jennifer's suicide attempt.

Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson star in this tense NY movie about a lawyer and a poor man who is trying to spend more time with his children. Jackson plays a dry drunk and Affleck needs therapy. Great scene where Jackson loosens Ben's tires before he goes on the highway.

Mickey Rourke deals with life through whiskey and fighting at the bar. Sometimes he finds time to jot down a few lines of poetry or a short story. After fighting Eddy the bartender and winning for a change, Mickey seeks another watering hole where he finds a fellow drunk played by Faye Dunaway. Dunaway, a barfly, uses whatever it takes to get money and simply says "if another man came along with a fifth of whiskey, I'd go with him". Best scene: Dunaway hitting Rourke six times with her purse. Rourke’s bloody makeup should have won an Oscar.

Jeff Bridges plays a country western singer who has abused alcohol for a long time. He drinks like a real alcoholic and this movie really portrays alcoholism in a truthful and powerful way. Best scene is where he loses the kid in a shopping mall because he has to head to the bar.