USA / 2012 / 81 mins
Director: James Ponsoldt
Screenplay: James Ponsoldt and Susan Burke
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Octavia Spencer
Genre: Drama, comedy
Elementary school teacher Kate Hannah (Winstead) is married to writer Charlie (Paul). Their union is based on a mutual love of alcohol and not much else. After a very bad day and night, Kate finally realises that they are both definitely alcoholics and decides to get help, on the advice of her friend Dave (Offerman), himself a recovering alcoholic. Kate is serious about her attempts to stay sober, Charlie, however, has no intention of quitting the drink, stretching both their relationship and Kate's resolve, to breaking point.
This indie film is a little gem. Shot in a freewheeling hand held style, it tackles a serious issue without coming across as either preachy of flippant. Of course alcoholism is no laughing matter, and the film does not play it for laughs. The humour comes form the characters and the situations that they find themselves in, even if it at times the very darkest humour.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the film's standout. She goes to some very bleak places as Kate, but always makes her a warm, sympathetic character. Kate is never played as a victim, and Winstead gives her the steel necessary to deal with everything that is thrown at her.
