I agree that this is a fine film. It seems to be in rotation on TCM, and is worth watching for.
My only problem is that we never see what put Max in this self-destructive spiral, and most importantly, who WAS he before he became an out-of-control drunk. (Fellow reviewer "dougdoepke" touched briefly on this.)
The film would have been stronger with some initial scenes that showed Max working successfully. Instead, he's a heavy alcoholic right from the start - certainly more charming and functional than what we see at the end of the film, but still barely able to stand or speak. (Sure, it's a late night party, but then he wakes up the next day and immediately starts drinking again. He's never NOT drunk.)
My only problem is that we never see what put Max in this self-destructive spiral, and most importantly, who WAS he before he became an out-of-control drunk. (Fellow reviewer "dougdoepke" touched briefly on this.)
The film would have been stronger with some initial scenes that showed Max working successfully. Instead, he's a heavy alcoholic right from the start - certainly more charming and functional than what we see at the end of the film, but still barely able to stand or speak. (Sure, it's a late night party, but then he wakes up the next day and immediately starts drinking again. He's never NOT drunk.)