By 1974 Dick Van Dyke was anxious to shed his happy Rob Petrie stereotype so he began performing in much more serious roles, including the lead in "The Morning After". Most of the talented Van Dyke's comedy films in the 1960s and early 1970s had bombed badly (see the horrible "Some Kind of a Nut" for an example) so it appears he attempted to branch out and diversify his career.
"The Morning After" is a very straightforward tale of respected middle-aged businessman Charlie Lester, who begins to drink to the point that it is affecting his work and his family life. Lester makes several half-hearted attempts to seek help, but continues his downward spiral and finally ends up in a mental hospital after a frightening episode of DTs. He escapes from the hospital, tearfully calls his wife to say goodbye, and begins drinking heavily again, finally ending up on a deserted beach with a bottle in a brown paper bag. By this time, Lester has lost his job, his wife, his children, and his self-respect but he does have his alcohol, which appears the only thing he really cares about. The final scene is very depressing and downbeat, but it was designed that way.
I recently saw this film for the first time in 46 years and it still packs a punch. Van Dyke is very convincing as the alcoholic, and is capably supported by Lynn Carlin as his wife, Don Porter as his boss, and Richard Derr as a sympathetic doctor. It's wonderfully acted, realistic, and very frank. You won't feel happy after watching it but you'll see what has happened many times to many people. It's a powerful film, different from but equal to "The Lost Weekend".
"The Morning After" is a very straightforward tale of respected middle-aged businessman Charlie Lester, who begins to drink to the point that it is affecting his work and his family life. Lester makes several half-hearted attempts to seek help, but continues his downward spiral and finally ends up in a mental hospital after a frightening episode of DTs. He escapes from the hospital, tearfully calls his wife to say goodbye, and begins drinking heavily again, finally ending up on a deserted beach with a bottle in a brown paper bag. By this time, Lester has lost his job, his wife, his children, and his self-respect but he does have his alcohol, which appears the only thing he really cares about. The final scene is very depressing and downbeat, but it was designed that way.
I recently saw this film for the first time in 46 years and it still packs a punch. Van Dyke is very convincing as the alcoholic, and is capably supported by Lynn Carlin as his wife, Don Porter as his boss, and Richard Derr as a sympathetic doctor. It's wonderfully acted, realistic, and very frank. You won't feel happy after watching it but you'll see what has happened many times to many people. It's a powerful film, different from but equal to "The Lost Weekend".