longbeachone

I've read the sticky about all of the BOOKS we found useful and/or inspirational (and if you haven't read this sticky, check it out. It's great!)..what about movies? There are lots and lots of great films about how drugs and alcohol affect people, or how recovery works. What is your favorite, and why?

I could list a bunch, but I'm going to just give my top two choice. First is "Requiem for a Dream". This is about addiction, and its just so bleak, so terrible. There is no happy ending here...and its scary as sh*t! Amazing performances by Ellen Burstyn, Jered Leto and Marlon Wayans.

I'd have to say "Candy" with Heath Ledger is a close second. Another addiction story, with a brilliant performance by Ledger, made all the more terrible because of his tragic death by overdose in real life.

What are your favorites? You can include television as well.

1undone

I will have to watch them. New to movies but books I've read a ton.

DoubleBarrel

I always liked drugstore cowboy.

Its pretty right on the money, IMHO.

And when he gets clean, he has to lose the girlfriend, and even though it looks like they were SO in love, she just carries on with the next dude, right like nothing ever happened.

It also portrays his day to day boredom with just being sober, and having to deal with life. Good stuff. Nice cameo by Wm. Burroughs too.


Another good one is the Lost Weekend. A classic.


ETA: SOME of you might want to be careful with this stuff. There is content that can be pretty triggering to people.

jessica10

I like the movie/ book Go Ask Alice. It is a very old movie and book but it takes you through every aspect, like how she got addicted in the first place and her destructive path. It doesn't end well but does teach a good lesson!

Soberpotamus

Though I'd never in a million years say that Leaving Las Vegas realistically portrays the average addict's life, it's still a very powerful film for me. It captured the utter futility, desolation and hopelessness of alcoholism. And the delusion. And the likely ending.

... I liked the lighting and colors in the film too, thought it really added to the feel of it.

degenerateFTW

I thought not only was 'Flight' an excellent film but it was like looking in a mirror for most of it!

longbeachone

I can totally relate to the quote in Drugstore Cowboy about how normal things, like tying your shoes, can be too much for a junkie and lead to relapse. An interesting sidebar: James Fogle, the author of the book the movie was based on, has spent most of his life in and out of jail for robbing pharmacies. The last time he was caught, he had climbed through the roof of a pharmacy and stolen $10,000 with of drugs. He was caught because he fell asleep in the parking lot in his car before making his getaway.

Starflyer

I have not seen the film yet, but there is a new one about a couple of alcoholics in a marriage together called "Smashed." It stars Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman, of Breaking Bad fame). No clue if the movie is good or not; however, the few clips I've seen seem right on the money of what it's like to be an alcoholic.

Geneticmessiah

Most of the really good films I know of are based off books

But I'd say Once were Warriors because it shows how addiction and neglect effects a whole family instead of just focusing on one persons struggle. If you've never seen it I highly recommend.

FBL

Some of my favorites:
The Lost Weekend
Days Of Wine And Roses
Clean And Sober

jazzfish

Down to the Bone because the characters have a realistic living standard, slim recovery resources, and normal lives.

RaiseAnchor

Whether or not it's the best is subjective, but it's an interesting movie about the struggles of recovery:

16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

shooter

28 Days with Sandra Bullock is a great movie.

Mirage74

Hey Shooter, what about Hoosiers?

FeenixxRising

For those who are interested, there is an entire page on Sober Recovery devoted to this topic, it's called:

Recovery, Addiction, and Alcoholism in the News, Movies, and Pop Culture

It's the third forum from the top.

shooter

No school this small has ever won the state champioinship!

wolfpackfan45

Smashed was very good and realistic too. Also loved Flight.

bigsombrero

If I watched Requiem for a Dream I'd probably jump out of this 12th story hotel window. That movie is so depressing, I find nothing useful for addicts. It's a terrible story with a terrible ending.

"Flight" is much more uplifting and realistic, I like that one!

kittycat3

Smashed was great!

Mirage74

Jeff Corwin just said you're rarely more than 100 yards from a shark when in the ocean.

Makes me think of Jaws. Not a recovery movie, but there is a classic drinking scene on the boat.

Stay out of the water! J/K, I'll still go in. Probably