Top 5: Favorite Jack Lemmon Films

A five “best” list of Lemmon films would look a little different than this, especially 4 & 5, but “favorite” is more fun. Besides, no one has a corner on taste.

1. The Days of Wine and Roses (1962) – There have been countless films since dramatizing the horrors of drug and alcohol addiction, many of them more explicit and visceral, but none ever as emotionally agonizing as this tragic love story of two alcoholics. The first act could be any early 60’s, meet-cute, oh Miss Halbersham you’re beautiful without your glasses romantic comedy. At first, Jack Lemmon plays Jack Lemmon wooing the lovely Lee Remick but then the two martini lunch turns into a living nightmare that ends so sadly it takes your breath away. (more…)