Such a frustrating disappointment

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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 quit different from most movies I have seen dealing with drugs (as a main theme). Most of the film takes place during and after rehab, which is somewhat unusual (but not bad in any way). Michel Keaton is really good as a drug addict. The role is different, but shows his more serious and adult side. This being said, the movie, unlike most drug movies, isn't really "powerful" or extremely dramatic. In fact, its rather dry in that area, but is still good (and even somewhat better than a lot of drug films) because its very realistic and believable. It also goes in depth with the characters personal lives outside of drugs, rather than focus on their actual drug addiction. Its a good movie overall, definitely recommended to any fan of Michael Keaton or anyone who likes well made but realistic drama's. I rate it 8/10. Rated R for Strong Language, nudity and drug use

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.

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.