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'Smashed' shows a realistic recovery, with revelation

'Smashed' has some powerful moments but is mostly superficial.

By Peter RainerFilm critic / October 12, 2012

Aaron Paul (l.) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (r.) star in 'Smashed.'

Oana Marian/Sony Pictures Classics/AP

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Co-writer/director James Ponsoldt’s “Smashed” is a kind of lesser, modern-day “Days of Wine and Roses.”

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Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a functioning alcoholic first-grade teacher whose downward spiral is checked by a 12-step program that her equally sozzled husband (Aaron Paul) disdains.

The movie has some powerful moments, but it’s mostly superficial.

Grade: B (Rated R for alcohol abuse, language, some sexual content, and brief drug use.)

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