Days of Wine and Roses

by J.P. Miller

Book by Miller, J. P

Genres: Plays

52 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1973

About the author

James Pinckney Miller (December 18, 1919, San Antonio, Texas - November 1, 2001, Flemington, New Jersey), known to friends and associates by the nickname Pappy, wrote under the name JP Miller. He was a leading playwright during the Golden Age of Television, receiving three Emmy nominations. A novelist and screenwriter, he was best known for Days of Wine and Roses, directed by John Frankenheimer for Playhouse 90 (1958) and later a motion picture (1962) directed by Blake Edwards.

Reviews

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Days of Wine and Roses, written by J.P. Miller, directed by Blake Edwards

9 out of 10

Notes and thoughts on other books are available at:

- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/

This is a fantastic, if very sad masterpiece.
Days of Wine and Roses is included on The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list available here:

- http://www.listchallenges.com/new-yor...

It is surprising to find in the director’s chair Blake Edwards, the director and/or writer of splendid comedies:

- The Pink Panther, The Party, Victor/Victoria, Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again

Given that Days of Wine and Roses is a drama that explores the extreme depths to which people can descend, this is in total contrast with the Panther sequels or the other sunny, amusing comedies of the director/writer.
Jack Lemmon has had some tremendous, fascinating roles in some classic comedies that have entered Cinema History:

- Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, The Odd Couple, The Fortune Cookie, Buddy Buddy and others

But he has proved his outstanding, breathtaking talent in dramas, other than Days of Wine and Roses, like:
- Glengarry Glen Ross, JFK, Missing, The China Syndrome

Jack Lemmon is Joe Clay in Days of Wine and Roses and meets Kirsten Arnesen-later Clay- portrayed by the sensational Lee Remick.
Recently I had the chance to see Lee Remick, in one of her early roles, announcing the future acclaimed actress.

A Face in the Crowd, with Lee Remick as a cheerleader that becomes the lover of the hero is reviewed here: http://realini.blogspot.ro/2017/05/a-...

When Joe and Kirsten first come across each other, sparks are not flying and there is no love at first sight.
On the contrary, Joe takes the then secretary for a sort of a party girl that has to attend a party given by a prince.

Joe is a PR man that has trouble accepting some aspects of his work that include providing girls for rich men.
If not exactly pimping, it does not seem too ethical or full of high meaning either and when trying to explain to Kirsten’s father what he does, he has difficulty saying: “I try to let the world know about the good that my client is doing…”

- What about when your employer makes a mistake?
- Well…I guess that I try to see that his image is not too damaged…or words to that effect

But the main trouble is alcohol and Joe is the first responsible for the issue, as it brinks drink into the relationship.
To begin with, Kirsten rejects Joe and is even harsh with the man who brings a gift, but then feels sorry- probably.

They get out to dinner and the man is ordering a drink for his date, who at that time was unfamiliar with alcohol.
Joe had been very familiar with booze, already close to addiction and he takes care to give the woman a…Hamilton was the name of the drink?

Anyway, I am thinking it could have been something close to Baileys ‘or whiskey cream, for Kirsten likes it very much.
They both go on a downward spiral from here and the film is mainly a lesson on what can happen to alcoholics.

And other addictions for that matter, all of them creating a dependency on substances, liquids that end up by destroying people’s lives:


“Joe Clay: I walked by Union Square Bar. I was going to go in. Then I saw myself - my reflection in the window - and I thought, "I wonder who that bum is?" And then I saw it was me. Now look at me. I'm a bum. Look at me! Look at you. You're a bum. Look at you. And look at us. Look at us. C'mon look at us! See? A couple of bums.”

[Skkyler Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was scared of this. Thought it was gonna be bad based on how they were writing it to be on the stage. But by the end I was crying.
I chose the final scene in this play to do as my last scene in college. It’s a great round about story of alcohol abuse and how our decisions not only affect our lives but those around us. A Deeply human story that does alcohol abuse the best I’ve ever seen.

[MyChienneLit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This sad look at the implosion of a marriage and family due to the ravages of alcoholism is an important work that unfortunately descends into sentimental preaching and cliché. At first, this novel was a riveting story, but by the end, it barely held my attention and I struggled to finish it. Unless you are interested in promotional literature for AA, give this one a pass.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.

[Emily Sotomayor · Rating 3 out of 5]

how was this so much more muted yet also so much more brutal than the recent broadway revival??

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic and real!

[Joe Marino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious to read this stage adaption after seeing the new musical.
It's a good read. I wish there was more with the wife.
I am looking forward to seeing the film.
I would love to see the PLAYHOUSE 90 program- that would be special.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This tale of alcoholism and its insidious influence on a marriage is so preachy and so cloying that parts of it read like a poorly-written self-help guide.

I like the idea of this play. I’d very much like to read a story that starts as a love story before spiraling into alcoholism and its destructive influences. But Days of Wines and Roses’s unrelenting determination to impart lessons on the Dangers of Alcohol and the Salvation of Alcoholics Anonymous is so ridiculous that I think even Carrie Nation would read this and say ‘guys, tone it down.’ And she used to take a hatchet into bars to destroy booze.

Man, the U.S. really was more fun before all the lawsuits.

I think AA is an important organization. Given that alcoholism runs in my family, I appreciate the potential dangers and pitfalls of imbibing. But when the message overwhelms the story to a point where the plot is little more than strings tied together to try and form a story around all the moralizing, it undermines its own purpose. Not recommended.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

brutally realsitc play about alcoholism and its effects.