A successful public relations man's refusal to admit his alcoholism jeopardizes his career, his family and his life. ABC Movie of the Week.
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Reviews
Simply A Masterpiece
The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
This is a Wonderful Movie, as close as it gets when dealing with Alcololic Bread Winner. Dick Van Dyke, gives the best Original Performance of any Actor, ever has given. This is a must see movie for everyone. I finally tracked down and purchased a DVD of this Movie. It is in fair condition, but still a Classic Film all the way through. A great movie for everyone to see, If for Classes or Alcoholic Rehab, this is a "Must See" Wonderful Movie of the Week. Dick Van Dyke is a Classic. Top 5 Comedians to have ever lived. a great added DVD to a Collection, My Best to anyone who has seen this Movie.A Great Movie.
Like many of you, I saw this movie many many years ago. I was probably 14 or 15 years old when I 'stumbled upon it'. Anyway, my father was an alcoholic and had died just a year or so before. As I watched this movie I saw my father in the role of Charlie Lester. I have never forgotten this movie. I am now 5+ years into my own recovery from alcoholism and would very much like to see it again, or even better, to own a copy of this extremely powerful movie. And like most of you, I cannot hear "Yesterday" (Beatles version only) without seeing Charlie (or my father) standing in front of the mirror watching himself lose the battle. I don't think that I have ever heard a more appropriate song in a movie...even ones written FOR the movie.If for no other reason, this movie should be released as an educational tool for those who are trying to overcome and deal with this most unrelenting and overpowering disease know as alcoholism.
Its amazing that this seldom seen movie isn't out anywhere on video but it reminds us all of the emotional impact and trauma the affect us all when the painful and bitter subject of alcoholism comes into view. It can affect that lives of everyone we truly loved around us and it can pay a dangerous and painful price. I don't remember much about this movie when I saw it years ago as a child,but I did however got the chance to see this movie again when it aired recently on a cable channel and it stuck me in total awe. Dick Van Dyke's performance is astounding to watch as we see a man who has every to gain but terribly slips away to deep abyss of being a alcoholic losing everything he has worked for including losing his beloved wife and kids. I had an unbelivable impact on me when I saw this and it reminds me of how so much of how this disease can put you in either losing it all,ending up in jail,or sadly six feet under in the grave. Richard Matheson's masterful screenplay is a genuine classic as well as Dick Van Dyke's role of his career in which he should have won a Emmy for his mindblowing portrayal.
Richard Matheson has given us another masterful screenplay, and Dick Van Dyke is perfectly cast in the dramatic role of his career. I saw this on its initial television release date, and I recall the wide recognition that it garnered; but "The Morning After" seems to have slipped from visibility lately. Still, at the time of this film, "lovable drunk" jokes and comics were prolific on television and since "The Morning After", and its terrific eye-opening impact, they disappeared almost overnight. Now there were other, numerous efforts in those days to increase the awareness of alcoholism ... but I maintain that the impact of this unforgettable, much-discussed television film, with its chilling end, had a huge impact on the American consciousness. But we'll never be able to measure the number of lives it must have saved. Highly recommended to all.