Film Review: Smashed (15) (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: James Ponsoldt) Saturday 16.02.2013 20:45 The Filmhouse Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

This is a film about a young married couple who 'drink' excessively. The female, Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), is a primary school teacher who lands up going to work hungover and vomiting in front of her  class. One of the children asks if she is pregnant, and she uses this as a way of hiding the real reason, though at the same time she begins to want to do something to address this problem.

The film then explores how difficult it can be to stay sober when those around you, who you know from when you were drinking, are not taking the same steps. How lies you previously told to hide the issue, knock you back down when people are informed of what the truth is, and are unable to react in any way other than hurt/seeing as a personal slight.

The cast are perfectly decent, though it is Mary Elizabeth who is central to all that happens, and who gives a very well measured performance as someone trying to cope with her problems while trying to hold on to what she has. This is easily her most serious, grown up and raw performance. Some of the other characters felt as though they could have benefited from a bit more fleshing out, though I am quibbling. The film is not overly grim and has some good moments of humour. It's ending  felt refreshingly optimistic without being saccharine.

Rating: 8/10.