1) Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Nicolas Cage takes us through the final crisis of his life, drinking himself to death in Las Vegas. Yes, it's depressive and emotional, and undoubtedly one of Cage's best performances. We watch helplessly as Ben Sanderson stocks up on booze and cigarettes, and decides to forgo food altogether. Nothing can change his mind, not even after he develops a relationship with another lost soul, a hooker played by Elisabeth Shue. Despite the movie's dark theme, Cage's character lights up with some memorable lines. Check out the scene when Ben goes to the bar and starts talking to a woman. Some funny lines there.
2) Sixteen Candles (1984)
John Hughe's epic teen dramady has more than bad hair, wedding ruffles and geeks with acne. Who can forget Long Duk Dong! Stereotypes aside, the foreign exchange student played by Gedde Watanabe tells it like it is. Who can forget drunk Dong lying on the grass telling grandpa, "No more yankie my wankie, the Donger need food"?!
3) Beerfest (2006)
Das Boot! This is the ultimate booze movie - beer maids with huge jugs (yes, pun intended), German sausages, homeless pimps, linguistic challenges and tests of manhood. We follow the quest of two German-American brothers who travel to Europe to spread their grandfather's ashes. During the trip, they stumble upon an underground drinking game tournament, and all hell breaks loose. After a devastating loss they go back to the States and recruit three men to join their drinking team. Pop a cold one while you watch the Americans take on the Germans, and see who can first chug a giant glass boot of beer. Cheers!
4) Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Hands down, Ari Graynor plays the best drunk I've seen on the screen. Graynor takes her gum-chewing character, Caroline, on a buzzed blizzard through indie-music's New York. She gets lost after too much booze at a concert, and finds everything from turkey sandwiches to Jesus while her friends look for her. According to IMDB, Graynor improvised her whole speech during the scene at the Port Authority. The best scene, however, is where Caroline loses her cellphone and bubble gum in the toilet. Which one is worth fishing out?
5) Arthur (1981)
A true classic. Dudley Moore received an Academy Award nomination for his role as the alcoholic playboy Arthur Bach. The whole movie is so funny, it's hard to pick out the best part. I do love the scene where Arthur wakes up with a hangover (as usual!), turns off the train just in time for his servant to come in and say, I've taken the liberty of anticipating your condition. I brought you orange juice, coffee and aspirins...or do you need to throw up?". Also, check out the beginning of the movie when Arthur decides to pick up a street girl.
6) Old School (2003)
Frank the Tank! Need I say more? Will Ferrell is hysterical as a frat boy-turned-husband. His love for his wife isn't going to keep him away from the bottle anytime soon.... Check out where Frank goes streaking. Epic!
7) Bad Santa (2003)
Ho ho ho! This is one Santa you don't want your kids to visit. Billy Bob Thornton is perfect as a merciless criminal dressed in jolly apparel. Watch as the cynical Willie goes on a crime spree with his elf, Marcus. Along the way they meet "The Kid" who's literally obsessed with Santa Claus. Equipped with a flask, fake beard and a vocabulary that could take on any sailor, Santa's visit to the mall is anything but P-G.
8) Forrest Gump (1994)
Perhaps drinking isn't the first thing that comes to mind about this movie. But ping pong, running and shrimps aside..... there are plenty of flask-waving characters who cross Forrest's path. Lt. Dan goes through a rough period after losing both his legs in combat, and turns to alcohol to help soothe his emotional wounds. Check out the scene where Forrest Gump is visiting him in Dan's apartment in New York, and they have a heart-to-heart about life and religion:
Dan: "Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?"Forrest: "I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir".
9) Superbad (2007)
10) The Hangover (2009)
1 comment:
A couple of my favorites are older: The Hustler has a few good drunk scenes, and my favorite of all time is Hatari! John Wayne and Red Buttons harmonizing a song "Oh Whisky Leave me Alone." When asked "you've been drinking a little haven't you?" Wayne replies "No MA'AM! I've been drinking a lot.
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