Clean and Sober

8/10/19882h 4m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Thirty remarkable days in the life of an ordinary man. ~

Overview:

Hotshot real estate salesman Daryl has a bad cocaine habit. After embezzling his company's money, he wakes up next to a girl who overdosed. To hide from the police, he checks into a rehabilitation program guaranteeing anonymity. Under the mentorship of counselor Craig, Daryl accepts that he has a substance abuse problem. As he falls in love with fellow patient Charlie, Daryl begins committing to a newly sober life.

Director:

Glenn Gordon Caron

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$8,674,093.00

Key words:

drug addiction
cocaine
alcoholism
drinking
real estate agent
substance abuse

Cast

Michael Keaton

~ as ~

Daryl Poynter

Kathy Baker

~ as ~

Charlie Standers

Morgan Freeman

~ as ~

Craig

Tate Donovan

~ as ~

Donald Towle

Henry Judd Baker

~ as ~

Xavier

Claudia Christian

~ as ~

Iris

J. David Krassner

~ as ~

Tiller

Dakin Matthews

~ as ~

Bob

Mary Catherine Martin

~ as ~

Cheryl Ann

Patricia Quinn

~ as ~

June

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

D
Dave
Written 8 year(s) ago
~~
Michael Keaton tries his hand in a dramatic portrayal of an alcoholic, drug addicted stock broker who finds refuge in a treatment program - but not for it's intended purpose. He slowly begins to realize that be may be there for a reason, but the arrogant nature of his personality is always at conflict. As someone with long term sobriety, I always tell people that this is close to the real thing that Hollywood has to offer. Nobody is a model citizen in this world, most are flawed, lonely, angry characters, however there is some redemption in the masses. Strong supporting roles including M. Emmet Walsh, Kathy Bates and a young Morgan Freeman. Worth a look if you can find it.
Peter McGinn
Written 4 year(s) ago
9
Michael Keaton puts in a great dramatic performance in this movie, at a time when his star was definitely rising. This movie was released the same year as Beetlejuice, and the year before Batman. Kathy Bates also excels as Charlie.

Keaton’s Money manager character Daryl has gamed the system to steal client funds, and even as his drug addiction careens towards bottom, he uses a private rehab center as a shield against being found by the authorities. As he becomes involved with Bates’ character Charlie, who he meets while in rehab, he begins to take his sobriety seriously, perhaps more so than his new girlfriend does herself. There are touches of humor and Daryl’s charm to break up the more serious moments. At one point Daryl encourages her to use a script to talk to her previous boyfriend on the phone. She gives it a try, she shows Daryl the sheet and repeats the ugly profane response she receives, telling him she doesn’t see that on there as a possible response.

The movie builds up to a short speech by Daryl that is heartfelt and powerful. The details are brutal at time, and probably therefore accurate, and well worth watching. It carries a message with it, but isn’t merely a message movie. Back when it came out and moved to HBO and DVD, I watched it multiple times. It might be time to watch it again.