Smashed

Writing as an alcoholic... I have 2 things to say about this film. The first is that the learnt ability to 'deal' with life through alcohol abuse, was entirely authentic... and the second is that the loss of important relationships was inevitable with the life changes that salvation demands.

Writing as a film critic... that this taught me something about my own alcoholism... makes it an impressive film from my point of view. The inter-dependent relationship at the centre of this story is entirely real, as is it's eventual de-construction. Only a non-addict would see the interventions contained within the story as being sanctimonious or having some political agenda. This is not an argument... alcohol destroys lives.

The acting from the two 'leads' was excellent. The bigotry towards alcoholism was treated in a perfunctory way... but was still relevant to the story. Most of all... this film portrays the isolation felt by those who escape their entrapments. We all have to take giant steps in our lives... those steps rarely coincide with anyone else's. This film demonstrates that very well.

This was never going to be a film that excites the majority movie-goers...but for those that like films that can tell you something you didn't already know... it is well worth watching.

"Smashed" stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate a twenty-something alcoholic who has finally had enough of her drug and alcohol-fuelled lifestyle. The good thing is that it's not presented as a superficial inspirational drama. The bad part is that that means that Kate is pretty unlikable from beginning to end. She goes to work as a school teacher while hung-over and concocts a lie about being pregnant when she can't keep the contents of her stomach down.

Eventually she comes home to her husband, Charlie (Aaron Paul), and realizes that it's time for her to get sober. Good for her. Unfortunately, Charlie doesn't realize that it would be a good idea for him too. And thus starts the deteriorating relationship drama that parallels the progressive character study.

Most people will be watching this for Winstead's tour-de-force career- defining performance. I watched it because of Aaron Paul. The quiet but powerful actor of the hit show "Breaking Bad" has his fair share of fans through his portrayal of the drug-dealing junkie, Jesse. Nobody can treat Jesse poorly. On the show they'll likely die, outside of the show, they'll get a scathing review. In "Smashed" we've already established that Kate isn't very likable and because she thinks she's more mature than Charlie she doesn't treat him with much respect.

As Kate and Charlie's marriage deteriorates, I'm not sure which emotions the filmmakers wanted from the audience, but I was just mad. Charlie deserved better. Actually most of the actors deserved better. A lot of people are praising the humour and supporting performances in this film. Nick Offerman played a fellow addict who had a very creepy side which was supposed to account for a wicked sense of humour but it was just a bit too awkward for me to find entertaining. Octavia Spencer plays Kate's sponsor and her wicked sense of humour seems to come out of nowhere since her character isn't well defined.

"Smashed" does offer a realistic view of the struggle of addiction and sobriety with a refreshing mix of humour and drama, but it was hard to be on Kate's side and the film doesn't seem to give the supporting characters their full due.

I think Smashed starts off pretty rough, and the first ten minutes or so don't really have much of an impact. But the film manages to hit its emotional levels pretty hard from then on, and the characters become some truly fascinating and heartbreaking people to watch. I've never really seen Mary Elizabeth Winstead do any worthy acting. Not that she's bad, but I had no idea she was capable of doing what she does here. Of course, it didn't come as a surprise after waiting months for it because of the hype built around her performance. I found some of her drunk moments unconvincing though. Not all, but a few didn't work for me. But even with those flaws, she gives one of the best leading female turns of 2012, and her AA meeting scenes are brilliant, especially her first AA introduction. That scene alone is worth several nominations. Being a huge fan of Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad, I don't think this role was anything out of the ordinary for him, but boy does he make an impact. I'm surprised that he's actually on Winstead's level in several of their scenes together, and they play off each other brilliantly. Spencer also did some fine work, nice to see her here. I found Nick Offerman unconvincing though, and didn't buy him at all.

Overall, very well acted, really good film.

This film was one of two real standouts for me at the Sundance Film Festival 2012. Lead by two Oscar-worthy performances from Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Kate) and Aaron Paul (Charlie), "Smashed" accomplishes the impossible by addressing a very serious topic with depth and sympathy and realism, while still finding time to make the audience laugh hysterically now and then. Director James Ponsoldt and his co-writer Susan Burke deserve high praise for pulling off that feat. Additional kudos go to "Parks and Recreation's" Nick Offerman, as the deadpan sad- sack co-worker who takes Kate to AA and starts her on the road to sobriety. In a role that's the opposite of uber-confident Ron Swanson, he's hilarious as the always-ill-at-ease Dave.

This is one of those rare movies that is just like life: sometimes very funny, sometimes very sad, but always real. I hope it gets the audience it deserves.

SMASHED (dir. James Ponsoldt) Kate and Charlie are 'twenty-something' married alcoholics who live a boozy and carefree life in a working class section of Los Angeles. The problem is that when Kate hits bottom first they soon find themselves emotionally and psychologically at odds. Mary Elizabeth Winstead turns in a stunning performance as a winsome primary school teacher who realizes that alcohol has made her life unmanageable, but her new-found sobriety seems to have accentuated subliminal problems in her married and professional life. The film offers the uncommon insight that an alcoholic's last drink really only marks the beginning of the true struggle. SMASHED is a film of redemption that rings true. Worth A Look