Smashed

Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul are phenomenal as two people who really love each other, and really love their booze. When Winstead’s teacher starts throwing up in front of her young students and smoking crack on a whim, she starts to get the idea that maybe she should slow down. Husband Paul is supportive, but he’s not about to quit boozing with his friends. The consequences of drinking to excess are portrayed in a way that seems realistic, and even a little funny. The film seems to make the case that some of the results of getting plowed on the weekends are as funny as they are stupid. Winstead is powerful and raw as a woman who knows it’s time to stop partying, even if the spouse won’t join her. Paul shows that his great acting isn’t reserved for Breaking Bad. The way things stand right now, both leads deserve berths in this year’s Oscar race.