Films about alcoholics
battling alcoholism are not uncommon and in its main narrative thread, this is
what Smashed deals with and it deals
with it well. However, it is the secondary story, involving protagonist Kate
that provides the grounding for the drama and humour.
Kate, the alcoholic
primary school teacher, throws up during class. When one of the children asks
her if she is pregnant, Kate decides this is the better option than admitting
she is wasted, or smashed. This sounds like an absurd idea, but writer /
director James Ponsoldt handles it with great skill. The lie grows into even
more difficult and cringe inducing situations and compliments that main
narrative thread of Kate battling alcoholism. When Kate is eventually fired
from the school, for admitting to the lie, Smashed
loses some of its appeal and charm and continues doing ‘recovering alcoholic’
well.
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