With a film that follows the destructive nature of alcohol addiction and its struggle, expect to get a handful of handkerchiefs.
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- The greenhouse scene becomes the big start of a downfall. A totally drunk Joe becomes mad because he can't find a hidden bottle of alcohol and proceeds to desperately destroy all the plant pots. After the ensuing chaos, he falls on the floor and finally finds the bottle. Then he pathetically and maniacally laughs as he had found his most precious possession.
- What follows the greenhouse scene is still downright heartbreaking. Joe has been committed to an asylum to treat his alcoholism. In his cell he struggles and grunts desperately for a drop of alcohol, only for a doctor and nurses to sting him for his good. It's not only the conditions of Joe's sickness that makes the scene able to destroy your soul but the powerful and believable performance of Jack Lemmon.
- The Alcoholics Anonymous scene. While Jim, the leader of the group, is giving the initial speech, the shots focus on several attendants who are severely affected. Some put a hand on the shoulder of the next one, some even smoke to appease their addiction.
- Joe trying to convince Kirsten in the motel to leave alcohol as he did only for him to fall again to it. Then, he goes to search for alcohol and finds a liquor shop. The owner ignores him at first but Joe steals a bottle and tries to run away but trips over. The owner mocks him horribly spilling the bottle over and laughing at him.
- A now sober Joe visiting his father-in-law in the greenhouse. He tries to pay for all the damage he did to the place, but Kirsten's dad refuses it and tells him how his daughter was a wonderful person that didn't drink alcohol before knowing Joe, and she now spends full time going with strangers to get a bottle. Joe leaves while his father-in-law is left crying. Bonus points for the scene being shot in one take.
- The end. Kirsten visits Joe to convince him to get drunk like in the days before they were married but Joe absolutely refuses for the sake of his life, health and daughter. Kirsten sees her daughter sleeping for the last time before leaving, and Joe watches a BAR sign near his home. It is left to the viewer to wonder if Joe and Kirsten will ever reconcile, or if Joe will succeed in staying sober.Debbie: Daddy? I thought I heard you call Mommy.
