Clean and Sobe | | Cast : | Michael Keaton, Kathy Baker | | Director : | Glenn Gordon Caron | | Studio : | Warner Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | August 10, 1988 | | DVD Released Date : | June 01, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 31, 2005 | | Summary | Excellent, realistic, intense slice of an addicts life and how he gets clean despite himself. | Content
 | Michael Keaton is perfect in this role. No one else could have played that part. He is selfish, demanding, self-centered and hard headed and most of all full of fear. Slowly he begins to change even though is chaos all around him. Not only is this a good movie for addicts/alkies, jail inmates, etc. People who are trying to control an addict/alkie would also benefit from this, there is no way to control someone elses addiction.
It is very entertaining. there are some hysterically funny scenes and for once aa is not made fun of.
I couldn't find it to rent it and so i bought and watched if 3 times all ready. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 20, 2005 | | Summary | Poor portrait of treatment | Content
| As one of the reviewers (Kendra) stated perfectly, this movie sends all the wrong messages about recovery, and treatment centres. I happen to work in a residential centre for addictions, and if I worked this place, I'd be looking for work elsewhere in a hurry. This is Hollywood all the way. One thing that you do see though, is a character like Keaton's running around like a little horney dog looking for love. It's the trademark of many folks when they've removed the drug of choice. However, this film would give you the idea that once Keaton's character stopped fighting with the councellors, he was all right, and the time was ripe for him to be involved. The fact that his lust interest was in a relationship already (and a dysfunctional one to boot) didn't seem to concern the people responsible for providing him guidance. A centre that doesn't send the message of the potential pitfalls of getting involved in new romantic relationships early in recovery doesn't hold any salt in the field; it's idiotic! This movie was gutless, void of all honesty, and an insult to people in the profession, and their clients. This is a "feel-good" movie that basically says that in order to find yourself, you need someone else, and nothing could be further from the truth. Intimate relationships early in the this stage destroy more people's recovery than anything else. Unfortunately, people who come across our doors will often ask about this movie. I tell them to stay clear of this one. There are much more effective films that deal with the realities of addiction, and recovery. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 16, 2005 | | Summary | really bad | Content
| Oh, this was a bad film. It was acted well, yes. The characters may have been a teeny bit interesting, but boy, was this a bad movie and not at all representative real life. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 18, 2005 | | Summary | Unforgettable experience | Content
| This film is not an escapist film, a film to help you forget the daily trials of life. This is not a film where everything turns out happy at the end, the good guys always win, or justice triumphs over evil.
This, instead, is a movie about real life. It focuses on drug and alcohol recovery, and on Daryl Poynter's journey through recovery. Initially, Daryl thinks that he can get out of his problems (including a dying lady in his bed, and a missing $52,000) by hiding in a drug rehab center. They surprise him by taking him all the way through rehab - to the other side.
The story takes you through Daryl's struggles, and his denial until finally, he must admit that he is an addict. The characters are complex, and cannot be pigeonholed into the "good guys" and the "bad guys" - which makes the characters completely believable. This also makes us feel for the characters much more - and affects us strongly when the ending comes.
One notable thing about this movie - it was Michael Keaton's first dramatic role - and what a role. This should have been nominated for awards all over, but it did win a prestigous Film Critic's Award - but that award has the most pull at the "art cinemas." The Oscar which this film deserved never materialized. How sad.
This is a movie that every one over 13 MUST see at least once. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 02, 2004 | | Summary | not even average | Content
| As it seems I contradict most of the reviews so far. I read some of them before I bought this DVD and I was completely disappointed. I usually do like movies about everyday people with everyday problems who could be your neighbors. (Instead of the alien, murder and life-is-so-funny type of movies). The plus about the movie is that the actors are really great - that is true. But the plot is completly dumb if not obvios. Keatons character is supposed to be an addict who gets into a clinic more by accident then by purpose and then the miracle happens and he becomes clean and sober. This movie suffers from a severe absence of stoned people, drugs (except for cigarrets) and all the downs of addicts. The main character (sorry, forgot name) does not seem to have any liquor frieds, no dealer except for one Spencer who is never available and so he does rarely struggle to stay clean. Instead he starts a love affair (or at least tries to). This movie has excactly one message: you have to admit to yourself that you are an addict before anyone or anything can help you. This DVD is probably useful as a present for an alcoholic whom you want to see that he can get out of this if only he would see he has a problem, but you dont dare talking to him because he might immediadly agree and give you all his liquor instead. Not that you would have a problem with that... would you? |
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