Clean and sober maybe the movie that gives the most honest look at addictions ever made. An absolute must see for anyone who has ever suffered from an addiction-as well as friends and family members of addicts.The character build up moves very slowly(not a criticism at ALL) But a certain level of maturity IS definetly needed to watch this. A very realistic well acted movie. Why don't more people know about this?
43 Reviews
Kudos to Keaton!!
NickSt28 September 1998
Michael Keaton is fantastic in "Clean and Sober". What a great performance. The film itself is a fairly good analysis of the drug rehab process--the process of denial to acceptance. The first half of the film is particularly good, but it gets a bit uneven toward the latter half when it strays from its original premise into a romantic entanglement. All in all, Keaton really delivers in this one--Daryl is at times pathetic, funny, sympathetic, and just a plain sleaze. However, "Clean and Sober" shows quite well what lengths the addict will go to, and the "multiple personalities" he will take on, in order to get that next snort or the next drink.
The Long Way Down
cwstone29 December 2019
Clean and Sober is not a "feel good" movie. It doesn't have Improbably beautiful actors going through the stereotypical and cliche motions seen in other films about addiction. Michael Keaton is astonishingly believable as a smooth talking drug addict whose talents for manipulating others is surpassed only by his own self deception. Keaton's performance resonates as a man fueled purely by need. The essence of addiction is viscerally on display as he desperately tries to mitigate the trouble in which he now finds himself. The walls are closing in all around him and we feel not only his desperation, but also his inability to recognize it as such.
Morgan Freeman is in top form as usual in an early performance in his film career. A former addict now sober and working in a rehab he has a proud weariness to him. A kind man but also one who knows Keaton's number and isn't afraid to tell him as much. But ultimately this is Keaton's movie...a testament to the greatness of his performance. The supporting cast is very genuine and their stories are tragically believable. M. Emmet Walsh in particular stands out as a success story for a recovering addict. He has no problem admitting that putting down one addiction sometimes requires picking up another, albeit much less harmful
The story itself is familiar enough. Keaton is a business man in a lot of trouble for a lot of reasons. Drug rehab is seen as sanctuary; a place to lay low while he frantically tries to fix the problems he has created. Getting sober is not a straight line for anyone. Keaton's journey is one that at he doesn't always know he is making, Luck, timing, fate, and tragedy all play a part in keeping himself and drugs separated.
Clean and Sober really is a fine film and all too often overlooked. It's not cute and it doesn't let us off the hook. But it's that uncompromising honesty that makes it so incredibly moving. Life can be cruel. We can lose ourselves but also muster the strength to find ourselves again. Sometimes we have to prematurely say goodbye to those we love. But through sorrow strength can also be found. Strength to carry on even when surrender seems so seductive.
Clean and Sober hits some very powerful notes. We should always dare to hope for a better day. In the end key words are spoken by Keaton that perfectly encapsulate his situation. A sense of defiant optimism in the face of great difficulty is the fuel that helps us achieve new heights. And from there, to go ahead and reach a little higher.
Keaton Robbed At Oscar Time
G-Man-2530 September 2000
Michael Keaton delivers such an intense, realistic and powerful performance in this movie, he should have AT LEAST been awarded an Academy Award nomination. This stands as his best dramatic performance ever, in a career filled with many fine dramatic and comedic roles. As Darryl Poynter, Keaton shows us a character that starts out as a total heel and a user, but is slowly transformed by his stay in a drug and alcohol rehab center (and his interactions with others there)into someone who genuinely begins to see the errors of his life and makes a concerted effort to change.
A fine ensemble cast adds to the drama, including Morgan Freeman, M. Emmet Walsh, Kathy Baker and Tate Donovan. The script by former National Lampoon writer Tod Carroll is filled with memorable characters and realistic situations and is further enhanced by the solid no-nonsense direction by Glen Gordon Caron.
An excellent and WAY under-appreciated movie that was thrown away by Warner Bros., "Clean And Sober is a riveting drama of rehabilitation and redemption that will stick with you long after you see it. True-life drama doesn't come much better than this. **** 4 stars
A fine ensemble cast adds to the drama, including Morgan Freeman, M. Emmet Walsh, Kathy Baker and Tate Donovan. The script by former National Lampoon writer Tod Carroll is filled with memorable characters and realistic situations and is further enhanced by the solid no-nonsense direction by Glen Gordon Caron.
An excellent and WAY under-appreciated movie that was thrown away by Warner Bros., "Clean And Sober is a riveting drama of rehabilitation and redemption that will stick with you long after you see it. True-life drama doesn't come much better than this. **** 4 stars
dark and sobering
SnoopyStyle3 September 2016
Daryl Poynter (Michael Keaton) is a high-powered real estate salesman. He gets caught embezzling money losing much of it in the stock market. He wakes up next to an OD woman after doing cocaine with her. He tries to run away and ends up signing into an anonymous drug rehab program. He clashes with counselor Craig (Morgan Freeman) who has seen it all before. Richard Dirks (M. Emmet Walsh) becomes his sponsor. He starts flirting with Charlie Standers (Kathy Baker) who is addicted with abusive boyfriend Lenny.
Keaton goes darker pre-Batman. It's not an appealing character. He's ugly and destructive. It's an addiction and rehab movie. It is full of darkness. It does go outside of the standard rehab story with Charlie. It's not a fun watch but Keaton gets to stretch away from his comedic roles.
Keaton goes darker pre-Batman. It's not an appealing character. He's ugly and destructive. It's an addiction and rehab movie. It is full of darkness. It does go outside of the standard rehab story with Charlie. It's not a fun watch but Keaton gets to stretch away from his comedic roles.
well-made drug rehab drama
mjneu5911 November 2010
This sort of topical cautionary fable usually plays better as a television movie-of-the-week, but here the Big Message is downplayed in favor of a frequently engrossing drama, presenting erstwhile funnyman Michael Keaton with a meaty character to cut his dramatic teeth on. Keaton plays a young high financier and substance abuser hiding from the authorities in a drug rehab center. The role allows him the opportunity for some colorful temper tantrums and histrionic withdrawal anxieties, and he responds with a high-strung performance anchored by an excellent cast of veteran co-stars. Half way into the film the screenplay meanders into an uncertain (if thankfully unsentimental) love story, but just before it can end happily ever after a surprise plot twist brings reality back with a jolt, leading to a bittersweet conclusion almost spoiled by an annoying, self-congratulatory epilogue. It may not win any battles in the war against drugs, but the film is a cut above the usual big screen temperance lesson.
Talk about a career turning point
Mr-Fusion12 April 2023
Michael Keaton gives an exceptional performance as a young real estate pro with a massive drug problem. Under investigation for an embezzlement fiasco and a dead one-night stand, he hides out from the police in a rehab clinic. It's a great premise and an excellent opening thirty minutes as we witness the man hitting rock bottom, forced to come to terms with addiction. It's not always this good; sometimes the subject matter is painful, others it's morose and things stagnate after awhile; the script is messy. But it is a good movie, great supporting cast, no regrets here.
It's more fascinating for me from a historical perspective. For one, this is the role that led to "Batman", but also, this is a comedic actor flexing his dramatic muscle and man, it is something to see.
It's more fascinating for me from a historical perspective. For one, this is the role that led to "Batman", but also, this is a comedic actor flexing his dramatic muscle and man, it is something to see.
Has Appeal and Keaton Performs Well
view_and_review29 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
One morning Daryl Poynter (Michael Keaton) woke up next to a nude motionless body. She wasn't dead, but she was on the brink. The police told him to stay put and that's when he decided to join rehab. He joined, not for his own improvement, but to hide out from the police. "Clean and Sober" is about Daryl's journey towards sobriety when that was the furthest thing from his mind.
The movie goes all the way into what it takes to sober up. It's more than just a montage of detoxing, meetings, and tears. It's about the work the addict has to do and the work those willing to help him/her have to do.
While at the hospital Daryl met Charlene "Charlie" Standers (Kathy Baker). Though Charlie was involved with someone Daryl made it his mission to pull her away from her man. Her boyfriend was no good for her, that's for certain, but the impression is that Daryl's motives weren't all that altruistic. Though he talked about how imperative it was for her to escape that relationship, he wanted her to escape and run to him. If he was sincere and truly cared about her then he wouldn't be concerned about whether or not she ran into his arms, but that she just ran away.
The fact is he was replacing his cocaine addiction with an addiction to Charlie. Some ex-addicts pick up smoking, some eating, some something else entirely--Daryl picked up Charlie. Charlie fell off the wagon and was killed in a car crash. I'm not saying that Daryl caused that, but surely the tension of being pulled in two different directions by two men didn't help her any.
In my book Daryl was selfish as an addict and selfish while he was sober. I also think that Charlie's death made him get more serious about sobriety. I think this movie has appeal, but I think its appeal is greater to those who have struggled with addiction or know someone who has.
The movie goes all the way into what it takes to sober up. It's more than just a montage of detoxing, meetings, and tears. It's about the work the addict has to do and the work those willing to help him/her have to do.
While at the hospital Daryl met Charlene "Charlie" Standers (Kathy Baker). Though Charlie was involved with someone Daryl made it his mission to pull her away from her man. Her boyfriend was no good for her, that's for certain, but the impression is that Daryl's motives weren't all that altruistic. Though he talked about how imperative it was for her to escape that relationship, he wanted her to escape and run to him. If he was sincere and truly cared about her then he wouldn't be concerned about whether or not she ran into his arms, but that she just ran away.
The fact is he was replacing his cocaine addiction with an addiction to Charlie. Some ex-addicts pick up smoking, some eating, some something else entirely--Daryl picked up Charlie. Charlie fell off the wagon and was killed in a car crash. I'm not saying that Daryl caused that, but surely the tension of being pulled in two different directions by two men didn't help her any.
In my book Daryl was selfish as an addict and selfish while he was sober. I also think that Charlie's death made him get more serious about sobriety. I think this movie has appeal, but I think its appeal is greater to those who have struggled with addiction or know someone who has.
Oscar Worthy Performance by Michael Keaton
jhclues14 December 2001
One of the toughest things about drug and alcohol addiction is owning up to the fact of that addiction; being able to say, `I'm an addict.' Because until that happens, the addiction will continue and the prospect of getting any help will lessen with each passing day. And the important thing is getting that help before it's too late, regardless of how it comes about. It's being able to recognize the opportunity and having the gumption to take advantage of it, which is what happens to a young man on the brink of disaster in `Clean and Sober,' directed by Glenn Gordon Caron. Michael Keaton stars as Daryl Poynter, a high power real estate broker with a couple of problems: He's appropriated some $90,000 from an escrow account to play the stock market (which quickly took a nose-dive on him, leaving him about $52,000 short), but that's not even his biggest problem; his biggest problem is that he's a cocaine addict, as well as an alcoholic-- and he doesn't even know it. All he knows is that his life is in turmoil and he can't fathom why. And when a girl picks up at a mall ODs in his bed one morning, his life really begins to fall apart. He needs some time to sort things out and he needs to get away-- to hide for awhile-- and he comes up with a brilliant idea; he'll hide out in a rehab center where they guarantee anonymity and confidentiality.
He checks in, and it works. Nobody knows where he is, and the rules of the house prevent him from having any contact with the outside world. But Daryl-- a born hustler-- has hustled himself into a corner this time. Because he can't stay in if he doesn't play the game, which precipitates taking a long, hard look at himself. So for the first time in his life he gets caught up in his own scam; and it just may be his salvation. But before he can come back, he's going to have to hit rock bottom first, which he does-- in a pivotal scene involving a phone call to his mother. And it's only when he's faced with total collapse that he finally begins to look inward, and to take stock of how he measures up against the others he meets at the facility; when he starts to realize that he's not the only person on the planet.
Working from a tightly written screenplay by Tod Carroll, director Caron delivers a hard-hitting film that takes an uncompromising look at the effects of addiction, without relying or dwelling upon the physical aspects of the problem to illustrate the depths of despair to which it can lead. To be sure, Daryl looks strung out; but that aside, the story relentlessly chronicles how swiftly drugs and alcohol can wreck a life in all regards. It's a powerful statement, unflinchingly delivered in a concise and straightforward manner. Caron approaches the subject head-on, avoiding any melodramatics while keeping it grounded in reality, which enhances the impact of the drama as it plays out. And it clearly demonstrates how far-reaching the problem is, in that it touches so many others-- friends and family-- any and all who come into contact with Daryl. It gives a personal perspective on the issue that is even more pronounced, in fact, than that of Sandra Bullock's `28 Days' or the more recent `Blow,' and is more emotionally involving as well, on the level of Steven Soderbergh's affecting drama, `Traffic.' This is an Oscar-worthy film on any number of levels, but 1988 was the year of `Rain Man,' and the Academy was clearly looking in another direction, leaving this film without even a nomination. And it's a shame.
As Daryl, Michael Keaton gives a performance that had Oscar written all over it; that he failed to receive even a nomination for his work here is a travesty, as this is without question the best he's ever done and on a par with any of the best of that year, including Hoffman's Oscar-winner. Whenever an actor can disappear within a character so completely-- as Keaton does here-- it speaks volumes about the performance and the believability of that character; and there's no sign of Keaton when Daryl is on screen. Keaton has a very definitive persona, but as you watch Daryl, there's not so much as a fleeting glimpse of Billy Blaze in `Night Shift,' Carter Hayes in `Pacific Heights,' Jack in `Mr. Mom,' or even `Beetlejuice' or `Batman.' With Daryl, Keaton has created a unique character, so real and presented with such intensity, that even a passing thought that this is an actor playing a role is impossible. And that's a performance that deserves much more than a passing nod of acknowledgement.
Also turning in an extremely affecting performance is Kathy Baker, as Charlie Standers, a fellow addict Daryl meets in rehab. Baker has an alluring quality that works perfectly for the blue-collar character of Charlie, whose vulnerability quickly gains the sympathy of the audience and helps to draw you into the story emotionally. There's an obvious softness beneath Charlie's rough-hewn exterior that is becoming, a down-to-earth aspect of the character that Baker conveys quite nicely. This is a very real person she puts up on the screen, and it's easy to believe that she operates a crane in a steel mill, because there's nothing in the way Charlie is presented that is false or pretentious. It's a solid performance, and one of the strengths of the film.
The supporting cast includes Morgan Freeman, who gives an understated, impressive performance as Craig, Daryl's counselor; Claudia Christian (Iris); M. Emmet Walsh (Richard), Tate Donovan (Donald), Brian Benben (Martin) and Henry Judd Baker (Xavier). A realistic examination of a problem that affects virtually everyone either directly or indirectly, `Clean and Sober' is a sobering film that, while at times is emotionally draining, is nevertheless a worthwhile and entirely satisfying experience. 10/10.
He checks in, and it works. Nobody knows where he is, and the rules of the house prevent him from having any contact with the outside world. But Daryl-- a born hustler-- has hustled himself into a corner this time. Because he can't stay in if he doesn't play the game, which precipitates taking a long, hard look at himself. So for the first time in his life he gets caught up in his own scam; and it just may be his salvation. But before he can come back, he's going to have to hit rock bottom first, which he does-- in a pivotal scene involving a phone call to his mother. And it's only when he's faced with total collapse that he finally begins to look inward, and to take stock of how he measures up against the others he meets at the facility; when he starts to realize that he's not the only person on the planet.
Working from a tightly written screenplay by Tod Carroll, director Caron delivers a hard-hitting film that takes an uncompromising look at the effects of addiction, without relying or dwelling upon the physical aspects of the problem to illustrate the depths of despair to which it can lead. To be sure, Daryl looks strung out; but that aside, the story relentlessly chronicles how swiftly drugs and alcohol can wreck a life in all regards. It's a powerful statement, unflinchingly delivered in a concise and straightforward manner. Caron approaches the subject head-on, avoiding any melodramatics while keeping it grounded in reality, which enhances the impact of the drama as it plays out. And it clearly demonstrates how far-reaching the problem is, in that it touches so many others-- friends and family-- any and all who come into contact with Daryl. It gives a personal perspective on the issue that is even more pronounced, in fact, than that of Sandra Bullock's `28 Days' or the more recent `Blow,' and is more emotionally involving as well, on the level of Steven Soderbergh's affecting drama, `Traffic.' This is an Oscar-worthy film on any number of levels, but 1988 was the year of `Rain Man,' and the Academy was clearly looking in another direction, leaving this film without even a nomination. And it's a shame.
As Daryl, Michael Keaton gives a performance that had Oscar written all over it; that he failed to receive even a nomination for his work here is a travesty, as this is without question the best he's ever done and on a par with any of the best of that year, including Hoffman's Oscar-winner. Whenever an actor can disappear within a character so completely-- as Keaton does here-- it speaks volumes about the performance and the believability of that character; and there's no sign of Keaton when Daryl is on screen. Keaton has a very definitive persona, but as you watch Daryl, there's not so much as a fleeting glimpse of Billy Blaze in `Night Shift,' Carter Hayes in `Pacific Heights,' Jack in `Mr. Mom,' or even `Beetlejuice' or `Batman.' With Daryl, Keaton has created a unique character, so real and presented with such intensity, that even a passing thought that this is an actor playing a role is impossible. And that's a performance that deserves much more than a passing nod of acknowledgement.
Also turning in an extremely affecting performance is Kathy Baker, as Charlie Standers, a fellow addict Daryl meets in rehab. Baker has an alluring quality that works perfectly for the blue-collar character of Charlie, whose vulnerability quickly gains the sympathy of the audience and helps to draw you into the story emotionally. There's an obvious softness beneath Charlie's rough-hewn exterior that is becoming, a down-to-earth aspect of the character that Baker conveys quite nicely. This is a very real person she puts up on the screen, and it's easy to believe that she operates a crane in a steel mill, because there's nothing in the way Charlie is presented that is false or pretentious. It's a solid performance, and one of the strengths of the film.
The supporting cast includes Morgan Freeman, who gives an understated, impressive performance as Craig, Daryl's counselor; Claudia Christian (Iris); M. Emmet Walsh (Richard), Tate Donovan (Donald), Brian Benben (Martin) and Henry Judd Baker (Xavier). A realistic examination of a problem that affects virtually everyone either directly or indirectly, `Clean and Sober' is a sobering film that, while at times is emotionally draining, is nevertheless a worthwhile and entirely satisfying experience. 10/10.
In My Opinion, Kathy Baker Stole The Show
sddavis6327 July 2009
Michael Keaton is ostensibly the star of this movie. There's no doubt that he gets most of the screen time, and his character of Darryl Poynter is the one around whose experiences the movie revolves. Darryl is a hot shot commercial real estate salesman with a couple of problems: first, he's embezzled $90,000 and is on the verge of getting caught, and second, he's an alcoholic and drug addict who hasn't admitted that fact to himself, and who discovers (at the same time he realizes that his embezzlement has been found out) that a girl he picked up at a mall the night before has died of an overdose in his bed. With everything closing in on him, Darryl needs a place to escape to so that he can figure his next move out, and he decides to check himself into an addiction counselling centre to take advantage of its confidentiality. He has to lie his way through while there, to convince his counsellor (played by Morgan Freeman) that (1) he accepts that he's an addict, and (2) that he's serious about recovery so he can stay. At the centre, he meets Charley (Kathy Baker), who's dealing with her own addictions and her relationship with her husband, who is both an addict and abusive (certainly verbally; possibly physically.)
While Keaton was the star, I was actually far more taken with Baker's performance and her character of Charley. She did a great job portraying this character who was struggling to overcome her drug and alcohol addiction, but who continually allowed herself to be manipulated by both Lenny (the husband) and Darryl, who develops a real obsession with her (to the point at which he seemed more like a stalker than anything else.) I thought Charley's story was more interesting and far more sad, while Darryl was most interesting when he was dealing with Charley. In the end, a tragedy involving Charley (which somewhat mirrors the tragedy the movie opened with) is what jars Darryl into finally admitting to his addictions.
This isn't the most powerful movie dealing with the issues of addiction and alcoholism I've ever seen (I'd probably give that nod to 1962's "Days Of Wine And Roses" with Jack Lemmon) but it's an interesting, if somewhat melancholy, movie. 7/10
While Keaton was the star, I was actually far more taken with Baker's performance and her character of Charley. She did a great job portraying this character who was struggling to overcome her drug and alcohol addiction, but who continually allowed herself to be manipulated by both Lenny (the husband) and Darryl, who develops a real obsession with her (to the point at which he seemed more like a stalker than anything else.) I thought Charley's story was more interesting and far more sad, while Darryl was most interesting when he was dealing with Charley. In the end, a tragedy involving Charley (which somewhat mirrors the tragedy the movie opened with) is what jars Darryl into finally admitting to his addictions.
This isn't the most powerful movie dealing with the issues of addiction and alcoholism I've ever seen (I'd probably give that nod to 1962's "Days Of Wine And Roses" with Jack Lemmon) but it's an interesting, if somewhat melancholy, movie. 7/10
WOW DARBY Borough Film Location!
GeoPierpont16 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
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!
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!
Superb movie, anchored by a powerhouse starring performance...
ijonesiii20 December 2005
Michael Keaton turned in the performance of his career in CLEAN AND SOBER, a somber, yet riveting 1988 drama which starred Keaton as Daryl Poynter, a go-getter real estate agent who is in complete denial about a serious problem he has with drugs and alcohol. A serious night of partying goes deadly wrong for Daryl and he finds himself a fugitive from the law and decides to hide out at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, aware of their rules regarding confidentiality. Daryl resists the program initially, still in denial, but eventually comes to realize that he is really an alcoholic and a drug addict and that he must deal with this realization if he ever wants to look at himself in the mirror again. This movie is gritty and uncompromising in its realistic depiction of drug and alcohol addiction and where the addiction can take you. Daryl is depicted breaking into his office looking for money as well as calling his parents asking them them to apply for a second mortgage on their house so that they can lend him the money. These scenes are frighteningly realistic for those who have dealt with addiction or have a loved one caught in the grips of addiction. Michael Keaton delivers a powerhouse performance, the best of his career, as Daryl, the big shot who sees his world crumbling around him and continues to deny what the root of the problem really is. Morgan Freeman gives his usual solid performance as the head counselor at the rehab center. Kathy Baker, Tate Donavan, and Claudia Christian also offer solid support as fellow rehab clients and M. Emmett Walsh plays Daryl's sponsor, a relationship Daryl accidentally stumbles into. If you have ever had a problem with drugs or alcohol or care about someone who does, CLEAN AND SOBER is an important film to see and ponder. The film doesn't answer all the questions that may come to mind about the disease of addiction, but it clearly shows where denial can take someone suffering from the disease A riveting and powerful film that should not be missed.
Sobering drama
goya-41 April 2001
Doesn't hold up to my test of time
napierslogs10 July 2010
Michael Keaton can act. I love him in comedy, but in a drama like "Clean and Sober" with his deliver of a few comedic dead-pan lines, he can't be beat. Although apparently the Academy thought differently.
"Clean and Sober" is a tough film to watch, dark and depressing. Based on most responses, it's probably one of the more realistic and better-executed drug and alcohol addiction movies. That's only if you can stand to watch it.
I have very limited experience with drug and alcohol addiction and was unable to relate to any of the characters. I also couldn't muster up much sympathy or empathy for them either. I do love romance, but here I just wanted Keaton to get clean and sober and to not get involved with the women. With my lack of interest in the characters and their situations, this film offered me very little, and I found it boring and slow-moving.
The film also doesn't seem to stand up to the test of time. Very dark lighting that made it look like a bad 70s cop show. But then again with its dark content, that might be on purpose.
My personal recommendation is to not watch "Clean and Sober" but if you are looking for a drug and alcohol addiction film, or are taking a class on Michael Keaton roles, then this is certainly worth a look.
"Clean and Sober" is a tough film to watch, dark and depressing. Based on most responses, it's probably one of the more realistic and better-executed drug and alcohol addiction movies. That's only if you can stand to watch it.
I have very limited experience with drug and alcohol addiction and was unable to relate to any of the characters. I also couldn't muster up much sympathy or empathy for them either. I do love romance, but here I just wanted Keaton to get clean and sober and to not get involved with the women. With my lack of interest in the characters and their situations, this film offered me very little, and I found it boring and slow-moving.
The film also doesn't seem to stand up to the test of time. Very dark lighting that made it look like a bad 70s cop show. But then again with its dark content, that might be on purpose.
My personal recommendation is to not watch "Clean and Sober" but if you are looking for a drug and alcohol addiction film, or are taking a class on Michael Keaton roles, then this is certainly worth a look.
Excellent, gritty movie about life & taking responsibility.
rondine21 April 2001
This is easily Keaton's best movie ever. He play a slick addict that is only looking to hide from life's problems at a drug rehab clinic run by the ever wise, and tough-minded Freeman. Even if there are minor flaws in the film, they don't matter. There are moments of truth and clarity that are rarely seen in a movie now days. There is a scene when Keaton's sponsor, played extremely well by Walsh, tells Keaton's character, that he cannot be responsible for someone else's addiction. He asks him, could anyone have made you stop? It so silly, but no matter what, we as human beings continually look to take responsibility for others, when we can barely "control" ourselves! The supporting cast is terrific. Morgan Freeman as the clinic's counselor is just perfect. Kathy Baker is also memorable as a person who is lacking self esteem and cannot see the forest for the trees. A recovering addict herself, Keaton attempts to help her, while he is also romantically interested in her. Definitely a four star movie. I have watched this over and over & never tire of the performances.
Powerful, intense, socially significant, interesting but where's the moment of clarity?
zacdawac14 April 2022
And where's the reference to young, then barely known actress, Julia Roberts? Unless I'm seriously missing something, she absolutely has a one on one scene with Michael Keaton, early in the film. I can't find any mention of Julia, in relation to this movie, anywhere.
Yes, the moment of clarity has become something of a cliché in films about substance abuse. Still, Daryl had to have some kind of revelation that totally altered his perspective. When did he transform from the wiseass who was using the rehab hospital as yet another way to beat the system to the dedicated, committed devotee to drug free sobriety? We saw many reasons why this might have happened but we don't know when, where, why or how it actually did.
Watching this film will definitely give anyone a moment of clarity if they questioned why Michael Keaton quickly shot up to superstardom and ultimately won a Best Actor Oscar. His first serious, dramatic performance here was definitely award, or at least nomination worthy.
Finally, why, in a film about conquering substance abuse, does virtually everyone smoke cigarettes? It was the late eighties, not the fifties, and the effects of smoking were very well known.
Overall, I say the film is far from perfect but it will keep you absorbed for two hours.
Yes, the moment of clarity has become something of a cliché in films about substance abuse. Still, Daryl had to have some kind of revelation that totally altered his perspective. When did he transform from the wiseass who was using the rehab hospital as yet another way to beat the system to the dedicated, committed devotee to drug free sobriety? We saw many reasons why this might have happened but we don't know when, where, why or how it actually did.
Watching this film will definitely give anyone a moment of clarity if they questioned why Michael Keaton quickly shot up to superstardom and ultimately won a Best Actor Oscar. His first serious, dramatic performance here was definitely award, or at least nomination worthy.
Finally, why, in a film about conquering substance abuse, does virtually everyone smoke cigarettes? It was the late eighties, not the fifties, and the effects of smoking were very well known.
Overall, I say the film is far from perfect but it will keep you absorbed for two hours.
Keaton makes it
jonathan-5778 December 2007
You know, I don't usually say stuff like this, but Michael Keaton DOES make this movie worth watching. His portrayal of an addict struggling to regain control of his life laces his usual comic prowess with just enough depth and insight; it must have taken remarkable technique and control to bring us from revulsion to sympathy without ever spilling into pathos. Take him away and the movie is a well crafted and earnest 12-step promo. It's nice that they steer away from Hollywood happy-ending crap, but what they offer in its place seems like simply a different kind of cliché: the 80s version of the 'serious' movie. Morgan Freeman manages to avoid the burden of being inspirational, but the same cannot be said of M. Emmett Walsh, who of course deserves better. Still, I did watch it beginning to end when I had other things to do. Thanks Michael Keaton.
A top performance from Michael Keaton
LW-0885423 December 2023
A really good film from Michael Keaton here. Keaton plays a hard drinking, chain smoking, coke addict who's also pretty aggressive, rude, crude and selfish. After getting into some possible trouble though he decides to use a rehab centre as a place to lie low for a while. His life gets worse though and the hospital is initially a sobering place for him. There's a real lack of glamour to everything I really liked, and there's a certain truth to the characters staying there. It doesn't take long of course before our main character's arrogance takes hold and he constantly clashes with the mentor character there played by Morgan Freeman. The acting between these two is excellent, they are sort of the heart of the film though quite a lot of it takes place outside the rehab centre. Keaton we find out can't admit he has a problem and continually lies throughout the film even while others try to help him and others give him some tough love. Again the acting is just great from Keaton, whether he's flying into a rage, laughing things off or overcome with disgust about things. We can see in the various characters their all consuming desire for drugs and what it's doing to them. Keaton seems to be a man without remorse or guilt yet as the film moves along we also see tiny signs of change too among all his lies. The real change I suppose happens when he starts to show some care for someone else, though the film does all lose some traction towards the end with an on/off relationship. The film's ending though is very well acted and again very powerful.
All in all a various hard hitting and real film about addiction and it's horrible consequences. The film is very well constructed, even the costumes and the horrible grey and brown colours of the rehab centre paint a picture of a very unattractive side of America we may rarely see on film.
All in all a various hard hitting and real film about addiction and it's horrible consequences. The film is very well constructed, even the costumes and the horrible grey and brown colours of the rehab centre paint a picture of a very unattractive side of America we may rarely see on film.
You may want to knock Daryl Poynter's lights out, but give Michael Keaton an award while doing it.
mark.waltz2 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
How is it possible to like someone like Daryl Poynter who calls up his elderly (unseen) mother and begs her to get a loan on her house so he can get himself out of debt for embezzling money and spending his savings so he can get a hit? Poynter (Michael Keaton) has a naked, passed out woman next to him in bed when he comes to, and while he is on the phone, it's obvious that he's lining his nostrils with the remaining coccinellids he has.
He's blaming everybody else for being broke, including an airline clerk who informs him that his credit card has been declined. The self involved Daryl has no idea of the depths of his destruction on others, and to feel forced to spend two hours waiting for him to have his wake up call isn't easy entertainment.
But as hateful as Poynter is, Keaton is amazing, and he gives a performance that even viewers who couldn't make it through the film will admire. Keaton is raw and bitterly honest in exposing every nerve ending that keeps pulling Poynter down, and after an hour, some viewers will simply say they've had enough because it's like having a Bill and Bob dossier hitting them over and over. Kathy Baker as another rehab patient and Morgan Freeman as his counselor are also great. Not really an uplifting experience, but Keaton certainly won my admiration over for what he accomplishes with it.
He's blaming everybody else for being broke, including an airline clerk who informs him that his credit card has been declined. The self involved Daryl has no idea of the depths of his destruction on others, and to feel forced to spend two hours waiting for him to have his wake up call isn't easy entertainment.
But as hateful as Poynter is, Keaton is amazing, and he gives a performance that even viewers who couldn't make it through the film will admire. Keaton is raw and bitterly honest in exposing every nerve ending that keeps pulling Poynter down, and after an hour, some viewers will simply say they've had enough because it's like having a Bill and Bob dossier hitting them over and over. Kathy Baker as another rehab patient and Morgan Freeman as his counselor are also great. Not really an uplifting experience, but Keaton certainly won my admiration over for what he accomplishes with it.
Harsh realism. (minor spoilers)
vertigo_1419 May 2004
Clean and Sober is a sobering drama about the tragedies of addiction. Michael Keaton is Daryl Poynter, a fast-talking washed up real estate who finds an acquaintance in his bed, dead from a cocaine overdose, and himself facing real criminal sanctions after money goes missing. As a drug and alcohol addict, though refusing to admit it, he checks himself into a rehab clinic only to avoid his employers who are looking for the missing money and cops who want to interrogate him about the dead girl. For Daryl, rehab is only a safehouse, not a reality. He doesn't face the fact that he has real problems and needs real help to get back on his feet. Things are whirling too quickly out of control for him to keep up on the outside and his experiences in the clinic are his own, sobering experience.
The clinic is overseen by a former addict, Craig (Morgan Freeman), who is Daryl's counselor who can only help Daryl when Daryl helps himself. Craig tires playing games with Daryl, who has no interest in cleaning up, but only hiding out, and even faces getting kicked out.
Daryl finally wakes up largely due to interactions with fellow residents in the clinic, each having their own horror story about how their addictions tore apart their lives in one way or another, putting them in debt, neglecting their families, neglecting their health and so forth. Daryl slowly starts to witness the reality and stops considering everything to be a big joke. These are real people with real problems, and he's one of them. He even goes so far to try to help someone else recover from the pitfalls of their addictions, befriending Charlie Standers (Kathy Baker), who still lives with an abusive, junkie boyfriend. Unfortunately, for her, she is beyond saving, and her helplessness leads to her own destruction.
After watching Clean and Sober, you can see similarities between the stories as well as the characters among this film, the Sandra Bullock comedy, 28 Days, and the Angelina Jolie drama, Girl Interrupted. It is a powerful, though sad, drama and one well performed by all involved. And, it is, as a previous viewer wrote, "an honest look at real people."
The clinic is overseen by a former addict, Craig (Morgan Freeman), who is Daryl's counselor who can only help Daryl when Daryl helps himself. Craig tires playing games with Daryl, who has no interest in cleaning up, but only hiding out, and even faces getting kicked out.
Daryl finally wakes up largely due to interactions with fellow residents in the clinic, each having their own horror story about how their addictions tore apart their lives in one way or another, putting them in debt, neglecting their families, neglecting their health and so forth. Daryl slowly starts to witness the reality and stops considering everything to be a big joke. These are real people with real problems, and he's one of them. He even goes so far to try to help someone else recover from the pitfalls of their addictions, befriending Charlie Standers (Kathy Baker), who still lives with an abusive, junkie boyfriend. Unfortunately, for her, she is beyond saving, and her helplessness leads to her own destruction.
After watching Clean and Sober, you can see similarities between the stories as well as the characters among this film, the Sandra Bullock comedy, 28 Days, and the Angelina Jolie drama, Girl Interrupted. It is a powerful, though sad, drama and one well performed by all involved. And, it is, as a previous viewer wrote, "an honest look at real people."
Keaton can't be beaten
sublimital_death18 May 2002
There is nothing Keaton can't do, from funny, to action packed, good guy to bad.. From Batman to Beetlejuice, from Dream Team, to the in mate from Desperate Measures, to all four Dougs in Multiplicity, to the snow man in Jack Frost.. Keaton shows what acting is all about.. This movie was the movie that proved it all for him, it showed that funny isn't all that he can be.. This movie is one of the greats... I would recommend it to anyone.. I have it on Vhs, and DVD..
It hit me where I live
forcex27 February 2001
I have been in AA for 21 years. Over that time there have been many films I've seen that try to capture the alcoholic's fight with the disease. Clean and Sober is on the money. Though a minor error here and there, if you want to see and feel the travail, see Clean And Sober. Magnificent performances, by the way.
Michael Keaton in the best performance of 1988
hnt_dnl22 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
On the surface, CLEAN AND SOBER is a downright, downbeat film about alcoholism and drug addiction. But if you really stay tuned and pay attention, it is an inspiring story of redemption of a human being that has reached rock bottom, but along the way finds himself and his soul. In this film, Michael Keaton gives the best performance of the year, 1988. It still ticks me off to this day that he wasn't even nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. But the National Society of Film Critics did recognize him as Best Actor that year for this film and BEETLEJUICE, so that is something.
Keaton plays Darryl Poynter, a middle class (back when there was one to speak of) business executive who is deep into alcohol and drugs. One morning, he finds the girl that he hooked up with has overdosed and calls the cops. He is informed to stick around town until the matter is resolved. He has also embezzled money from his company for a business scheme and rather than face what he has done, he checks himself into a rehab clinic (he heard about it over the radio). The clinic would completely 'hide' him and keep his confidence. No one would know he was there or how to find him.
Darryl's initial intro to the clinic is rocky to say the least. He immediately antagonizes the clinic's counselor Craig (played by the great Morgan Freeman). Craig knows that Darryl is a con artist and is just using the clinic as a shield. Darryl also has a few shaky run-ins with fellow addict Charlie (played by Kathy Baker in another Oscar-worthy performance in this film). During his time at the clinic, Darryl gets to meet with a sponsor Richard (played by the great character actor M. Emmett Walsh). Slowly but surely Richard helps Darryl to see that he is indeed an addict and needs help, and the main source of help needs to come from within himself.
I recall seeing this film when it first came to video and then cable back in the late 80s and I must have watched it repeatedly at least a dozen or so times around then and have had the privilege of seeing it a few times since. It is surprisingly watchable and not as downbeat as it appears. It is realistic without being sentimental, sappy, or overly emotional. Every moment is believable and every character is authentic, even the most minute ones. And Keaton is just plain remarkable. I can't wait to see it again. This is easily the performance that Michael Keaton should always be remembered for and associated with.
And it is a film that anyone who has ever felt like their life was in turmoil and there was no hope should watch and learn from. With a great lead performance, strong supporting ones, a solid script, and a finely tuned story, CLEAN AND SOBER may be the best film ever about such a sad, important subject.
Keaton plays Darryl Poynter, a middle class (back when there was one to speak of) business executive who is deep into alcohol and drugs. One morning, he finds the girl that he hooked up with has overdosed and calls the cops. He is informed to stick around town until the matter is resolved. He has also embezzled money from his company for a business scheme and rather than face what he has done, he checks himself into a rehab clinic (he heard about it over the radio). The clinic would completely 'hide' him and keep his confidence. No one would know he was there or how to find him.
Darryl's initial intro to the clinic is rocky to say the least. He immediately antagonizes the clinic's counselor Craig (played by the great Morgan Freeman). Craig knows that Darryl is a con artist and is just using the clinic as a shield. Darryl also has a few shaky run-ins with fellow addict Charlie (played by Kathy Baker in another Oscar-worthy performance in this film). During his time at the clinic, Darryl gets to meet with a sponsor Richard (played by the great character actor M. Emmett Walsh). Slowly but surely Richard helps Darryl to see that he is indeed an addict and needs help, and the main source of help needs to come from within himself.
I recall seeing this film when it first came to video and then cable back in the late 80s and I must have watched it repeatedly at least a dozen or so times around then and have had the privilege of seeing it a few times since. It is surprisingly watchable and not as downbeat as it appears. It is realistic without being sentimental, sappy, or overly emotional. Every moment is believable and every character is authentic, even the most minute ones. And Keaton is just plain remarkable. I can't wait to see it again. This is easily the performance that Michael Keaton should always be remembered for and associated with.
And it is a film that anyone who has ever felt like their life was in turmoil and there was no hope should watch and learn from. With a great lead performance, strong supporting ones, a solid script, and a finely tuned story, CLEAN AND SOBER may be the best film ever about such a sad, important subject.
very depressing, but performances are some of the best
toddrandall686 March 2006
Without a doubt, one of the most under-appreciated movies of all time. If I had to pick the greatest acting performances of all time, Michael Keaton would be in the top 10. I was floored by the essence of a drug addict that Michael Keaton played. I didn't know until now, but the fact that he didn't even get a best actor nomination is a travesty. He did, however, win a Film Critic Award for best actor. The year this movie came out must have been a year of great movies, either that, or the Academy sucks. The part near the beginning of the movie where he is at his friends house, and his friend is going to play tennis, and Michael Keaton says, "do you mind getting me another one of those beers?" was exceptional, and then you knew this was going to be a great movie. Morgan Freeman does an exceptional job as the drug counselor (but then I expect nothing but great performances by this man). And the casting was also exceptional.
The only problems with this movie I felt were that overall it seemed like a very low budget movie, and Kathy Baker was a drag on the overall message. I have never been impressed by her, so I may be a little biased against her.
The only problems with this movie I felt were that overall it seemed like a very low budget movie, and Kathy Baker was a drag on the overall message. I have never been impressed by her, so I may be a little biased against her.
Michael Keaton is terrific!
dtucker861 November 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Clean And Sober was one of those little films that critics loved, but didn't appeal to the mass audience and thus is unfairly forgotten. I have always admired Michael Keaton's work. He is one of those actors who can do both comedy and drama and do it very well. 1988 was an incredible year for Keaton, he was even featured on the cover of Newsweek. He was in two films that year where he played parts that were as different from each other as night and day and he was awesome in both. In Beetlejuice he played a comedy part. He was hilarious as a lecherous scuzzball from hell. He was just too funny to be scary. That was as original a comedy as you would ever see and it was due largely to Keaton's wonderful performance. In Clean And Sober he plays a dramatic role just as awesomely. This film is dark and gritty and at times depressing. You feel drawn into the darkened world of drug addiction where there is no hope and no light at the end of the tunnel. Watching Darryl Pointer's tortured life reminded me of a poem I heard that went Now hollow fires burn out to black and the lights are dimming low Square your shoulders lift your pack leave your friends and go Fear not my friends, naughts to dread look not left or right In all the endless hell you walk there is nothing but the night Darryl is a real "anti-hero" in so many ways. He is self centered, very abrasive and he just checks himself into the rehab center to get the heat off himself because after a night of boozing and coking there is a dead girl in his bed. At first glance, Darryl is a real sob (even Keaton said that he was at first tempted to turn this role down because "this guy is such a pig"). BUT, but you still care about this guy because Michael Keaton's amazing acting makes Darryl seem so real to you. You say to yourself "God help him, let him see the light before its too late". Morgan Freeman was relatively unknown at the time, but he carries the load as Darryl's almost saintly counselor. There is one scene that takes place when they are both at a urinal (how touching!) where he tells Keaton to take it one step and one second at a time. SPOILER ALERT!SPOILER ALERT! Kathy Baker gives a fine performance as well as another addict that Darryl ends up really connecting to. You feel so sorry for this woman and sense the pain that she has inside as well. I think her biggest problem was just plain self hatred. How can other people love you if you don't love yourself? The most painful lesson that Darryl learns is that you can't control other people's lives and change their destinies. It's wonderful when you see this man who was so self centered start caring about other people and realize the truth about his own addictions. Critics raved about Keaton's performance one said "Give Michael Keaton the Oscar for Clean and Sober" Maybe its because this film was so dark and gritty and almost "film noir" like that it wasn't given the credit that it so justly deserves.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
