GeoPierpont
Was so surprised this was filmed in Darby, PA. I know you are thinking why would they do that, not exactly Beverly Hills let alone Compton. I think it is theee only time I have even heard a reference to this town and have not been there in decades. Well so much for all the excitement in this production.Have known addicts most of my life and it appears the reviews praise such an accurate portrayal. I found the dialogue plodding and too many gratuitous scenes of Keaton being a jerk, we get it, he's an ahole. And then he spends 30days in rehab and is completely ready for a LIVE-IN relationship, yeah right. He shows no improvement in his dealings with anyone else, hence huge plot hole here.Suggest you watch Ray Milland in "Lost Weekend", now that's an addict my friends and what a wild ride he took us on! "Clean and Sober" is just window dressing compared to Milland's portrayal. I was extremely bored with the incessant panning to dumbstruck facial expressions and lack of realistic conversations. This is a difficult topic to address, I appreciate that, but to downplay the process, even despite two deaths, was an insult to all struggling addicts in recovery.I have enjoyed many Keaton projects and this is definitely a departure from Batman or BeetleJuice, so be prepared for a letdown. I cannot recommend this film for any purpose other than a shallow introspection of an addict in denial. Oh, and EVERYBODY smokes non- stop, extremely annoying, cough!
namashi_1
Michael Keaton is one of my all-time favorites. I've loved him ever since I saw 'Batman', as a kid, I imagined being him while playing to be the dark knight. As I grew up, the late 1990's, Keaton was not being seen much in movies. But as a fan, I continued watching his movies. Be it his hits or flops, I followed the characters he portrayed.'Clean And Sober' is a film that makes me proud to be a Michael Keaton Fan. He delivers like never before. He plays his careers most important, message-oriented, complicated role in 'Clean And Sober'. He plays a hot-shot real estate dude, who's a drug-phony and has a lot to do with a recent death. Keaton gives this dark and selfish character so much of depth, that he over-takes the entire film. He is the life of the show.As a film 'Clean And Sober' caters to a niche audience. It's a mature film, that you begin to understand slowly. But it has terrific moments, superb dialogue, and as mentioned from the very start, Michael Keaton At His Very Best! Reccmended to all Keaton buffs out there, this is a performance that we can cherish about for a really long time.
callanvass
Clean and Sober is truly a fantastic film in all aspects, it's a shame it's not credited enough, and the performances are incredible!(especially Michael Keaton!), plus Kathy Baker and Keaton had excellent chemistry together. What made me enjoy this film so much is it's realism the rehab center looked so real and Morgan Freeman felt like a real counselor, where as Keaton and Baker felt like real addicts!. The ending while I won't spoil it is very sad and heart wrenching in fact the whole film is, and one of the saddest moments for me in the film is when they let Keaton go from his real Estate Job, plus I loved the slow dance Keaton and Baker had! at the good luck graduation in Rehab. It's also a great film about the dangers that drugs and alcohol can give you,and I feel Michael Keaton's performance is Oscar worthy in my opinion, plus I really liked the disturbing opening as well. I won't reveal much more but overall this film is a must see at all costs, trust me you'll love it!. ***** out of 5 TheActing is incredible!. Michael Keaton is absolutely phenomenal here, he acted like a real addict, he just felt so real, his performance is heart wrenching in every way as you want to see him survive and beat his addiction, as I believe this is one of the best performances ever it's an Oscar worthy performance if you ask me!. Kathy Baker is fantastic here as the trouble drug addict, I felt so sorry for her as she was such a beautiful and amazing woman, you will really feel for her and pray she gets away from that scumbag Lenny!. Morgan Freeman is amazing as usual just his presence alone was good enough, he just felt so real as a counselor and I loved his scenes with Keaton!. M. Emmet Walsh is great in his role he is a great character actor and always brings class which ever movie he is in!. Luca Bercovici is great as the prick Lenny you will hate him for what he does to Charlie(Baker), he played his role really well.
george.schmidt
CLEAN AND SOBER (1988) ***1/2 Michael Keaton, Kathy Baker, Morgan Freeman, M. Emmett Walsh, Tate Donovan, Claudia Christian, Brian Benben. Keaton gives a tour de force performance as chemical addict businessman facing big troubles and decides to cool off in a detox/rehab center run by a no-nonsense counselor (excellent Foreman). Great acting and tight, realistic direction from Glenn Gordon Caron (creator of tv's "Moonlighting" in this his feature film debut) and Baker's scenes with Keaton recall the desperation of Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick in "The Days of Wine and Roses". Watch Keaton's modulated reaction on learning of a tragic event. Heart-wrenching at times.
AD
