Clean and Sober (1988)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Glenn Gordon Caron

Writer (WGA):

Tod Carroll (written by)

Release Date:

10 August 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Thirty remarkable days in the life of an ordinary man.

Plot:

Michael Keaton plays Daryl Poynter, a hot shot real estate agent who just happens to have a cocaine and drinking problem...

Plot Keywords:

Cocaine | Real Estate Agent | Drinking | Drug Addiction | False Accusation

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Michael Keaton	...	Daryl Poynter
Kathy Baker	...	Charlie Standers
Morgan Freeman	...	Craig
Tate Donovan	...	Donald Towle
Henry Judd Baker	...	Xavier
Claudia Christian	...	Iris
J. David Krassner	...	Tiller
Dakin Matthews	...	Bob
Mary Catherine Martin	...	Cheryl Ann
Patricia Quinn	...	June (as Pat Quinn)
Terri Hanauer	...	Admissions Counsellor
David A. Kimball	...	Doctor
Veronica Redd	...	Head Nurse - Detox
Sharie Doolittle	...	Nurse
Sharon Medearis	...	Nurse

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Norway:15

Filming Locations:

Claymont, Delaware, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Quotes:

Darryl: Thank you. And thanks for my chip. And thanks for not smoking.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight - The Gathering Storm (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

If You Wanna Be Happy

Excellent, gritty movie about life & taking responsibility.

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.