poe426
Uncompromising and with without a doubt one of the most downbeat endings in the history of Movies, THE MORNING AFTER is about as powerful as they come. Richard Matheson deserves his share of the credit, to be sure, but it's leading man Dick Van Dyke's tour de force performance as a man determined to destroy himself that makes this one one for the ages. (Lynn Carlin, an underrated actress I've always liked, deserves mention as well as the long-suffering spouse.) Anyone who's ever had to deal with Alcoholism in any way (And who hasn't...?) will appreciate the frankness of the filmmakers. I know I did. While I wouldn't recommend watching this one while you're depressed, I WOULD highly recommend it to Anyone and Everyone with an Addiction.
moonspinner55
Dick Van Dyke does very fine work in this thoughtful TV-movie about a once-successful speech writer for a public relations firm who has hit the skids: he's a heavy drinker, and doesn't know how to help himself. Thriller-writer Richard Matheson was a surprising choice to adapt Jack Weiner's novel, but he does a terrific job at setting up the circumstance and then allowing his central character to free-fall with help from his ever-present bottles of booze. Lynn Carlin, as Van Dyke's enabling spouse, is put in the somewhat unbearable position of playing mommy to both her sick husband and her shaky kids, and one longs for her to stop being a victim and take charge. But, this being 1974, the avenues which are now present for people in this unfortunate situation simply weren't commonplace yet, and Van Dyke's struggles--his broken promises, his self-inflicted downward spiral--are painful to witness. Matheson seems intent not to make this a cookie-cutter domestic drama, and at that he succeeds. The final shot (extremely well executed) leaves the viewer with a lot to consider. It becomes clear this isn't solely a hard-hitting portrait of alcoholism--it is also a story about giving up.
blizzard2008
This is a Wonderful Movie, as close as it gets when dealing with Alcololic Bread Winner. Dick Van Dyke, gives the best Original Performance of any Actor, ever has given. This is a must see movie for everyone. I finally tracked down and purchased a DVD of this Movie. It is in fair condition, but still a Classic Film all the way through. A great movie for everyone to see, If for Classes or Alcoholic Rehab, this is a "Must See" Wonderful Movie of the Week. Dick Van Dyke is a Classic. Top 5 Comedians to have ever lived. a great added DVD to a Collection, My Best to anyone who has seen this Movie.A Great Movie.
wuulfgarr
I also saw this tv movie only once during its original airing. I was only 10 years old at the time. I regret to say that much of the content has since faded from memory. But don't think that has any reflection on the movie, only my memory! To this day I have not forgotten the impact that Dick Van Dyke's performance had on me. His portrayal of an alcoholic steadily descending into the deep abyss of his disease has stayed with me for almost thirty years. My first exposure to this illness came with this film. And it haunts me to this day. Not to mention the fact that I not once since seeing this movie have I been able to listen to the Beatles' 'Yesterday' without feeling a small jab in my heart because of it.
AD
