It’s impossible to make an honest film about addiction if you haven’t experienced it yourself. In my opinion, this is one of the best movies on the subject, and it’s clear that the director (who also plays the lead role) knows this firsthand. Bradley Cooper has gone through recovery himself and now supports his colleagues: Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck openly thanked him for his help in overcoming addiction during their most difficult moments.
The film is utterly devastating in its raw honesty. Maybe it’s because the actress wears no makeup, but whatever the reason, you feel everything on screen alongside the characters, as if connected to them by invisible sensors. That’s why, even if you’ve accidentally read a spoiler beforehand (as I did), you won’t be able to hide from the unbearable pain in the finale.
The world of someone who chooses a substance for long-term relationships is fragile. Even those closest to them don’t always understand this. That’s why it’s so important for a codependent person to step back and give the addict the space to take responsibility for their own life—without sending the message: “I don’t love you anymore. You’ve become worthless. Get your act together, then come back into my life.” In some cases, this could be the final push toward the edge. And of course, guilt and shame are like the ropes of an old wound—painfully rubbing raw, pulling at the recovering person endlessly to revive their sense of worthlessness and self-hatred. Or you could pull just once, but very hard.
In any story about addiction, it’s hard to walk away yet stay close. To not leave someone alone in their struggle. To want to see another’s pain despite personal success and long-awaited victories. This film doesn’t do that, but its ending demands long reflection and ‘working through mistakes’ from the viewer. That’s the true value of this masterpiece.
