Other Movies Like This?
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Petronius Arbiter II — 15 years ago(September 20, 2010 08:16 PM)
The classic of this genre better than "Clean and Sober" by a long shot, I'd say is the well-known "Days of Wine and Roses." Only potential problem with that one is that it looks a bit outdated; released in 1962, but has a very 1940's/1950's look to it. But other than that, it's great. Better scripting, acting just as good or better, superb directing. Jack Lemmon's "drunk in the greenhouse" scene is the best acting out of the desperation of the alcoholic mind that you're ever likely to see.
"I don't deduce, I observe." -
denise1234 — 15 years ago(December 02, 2010 10:58 AM)
Lifeguardfan^
Another nice little movie to catch is 'Down To The Bone' with Vera Farmiga and Hugh Dillon.
It's taken from a true story and is very compelling in its quiet way.
However, it's an independent film, so don't be expecting fast pace or action-packed moments. It's a character play of real people dealing with real-life issues.
I read one critique on IMDB by a poster that describes it as "Drab. Boring. Uninspiring."
I couldn't disagree more with that review. So sorry that person did not 'get it'. To me, it depicted REAL life with people acting like REAL people and the REAL consequences that can ensue depending on the choices people make.
"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois -
marbleann — 15 years ago(December 28, 2010 08:50 AM)
I have to say the Days of WIne and Roses is the best of this genre. Because it showed how alcohol effects women. Not just prostitutes or some good time girl or runaway like it shows in a lot of movies. But how it affects the average women with a good job or a housewife and their families. A lot of people want to blame her husband for her drinking, which a lot of movies do, Make the man in the woman's life the reason for her bad habits. But it is clear after meeting her dad she had some issues and the father was also aware of them and she would of started drinking without her boyfriend/husband.
My parents took me to see that movies when I was a kid(terrible child, no one would babysit me so I went to very unconventional movies with my parent, lol) And that is one of the movies that I can say impacted my life. I always was very careful about drinking alcohol because of the visions I had of Lee Remick. I said to myself as a kid of 5 I was not going to do what that lady was doing in that movie. And so far I haven't. And Jack Lemmon one of the greatest performances on screen. And Lee Remick a very under rated performance IMO. I feel her good looks hurt her with the Hollywood critics. I still get upset looking at that last scene. Knowing she is lost forever in a sea of alcohol. -
jjeselnick-17-943225 — 14 years ago(March 05, 2012 03:19 PM)
There is a movie that is currently playing on HBO; When a man loves a woman with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia. Not as good as Clean & Sober (in my opinion) but pretty authentic. Clean & Sober is as close as you can get to real life, one of my favorite movies.
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denise1234 — 13 years ago(May 10, 2012 11:57 PM)
jjeselnick-17-943225^
Question for you:
Did you like Meg's character in 'When A Man Loves A Woman'?
I found her somewhat annoying.
I understand she had an alcohol problem and how dreadful that must be to some extent, and even how uncomfortable it must be to be a dry alcoholic, especially in the early days of recovery, but she seemed fairly mean to her husband.
Yes, he WAS co-dependent, but geez, how much of that "over" caretaking did he have to adopt due to her drunken behaviors and how about giving him some stretch in learning how to change, too?
It just seemed that, other than her drinking problem, she had a pretty darn good life compared to a whole lotta other people in this world and she was treated pretty nicely even when she was not acting her best she could have been a bit more charitable in her attitude.
I don't know she just kind of bugged me and seemed ungrateful.
"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois -
tohu777 — 12 years ago(May 13, 2013 03:23 PM)
When I saw Flight, I thought immediately of Clean and Sober (which I'd last seen many years ago - but could never forget). Both involve high-flying addicts who've committed serious crimes in their professional capacityand both are great, powerful movies
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IcySpoon — 12 years ago(September 24, 2013 05:36 PM)
The other posters beat me to the best movies about recovery. As a woman in recovery for just short of 21 years I loved "Days or Wine and Roses". Jack Lemon is always a favorite but Lee Remick was also excellent. "Clean and Sober" is gritty and realistic-nobody decides to go into rehab cause they're having a good day- usually (if they're fortunate) they've hit rock bottom and their lives are very unmanageable.
I love old movies-if you happen to be a fan than I highly suggest 2 movies from the 1950's, "I'll Cry Tomorrow" with Susan Hayward-based on the biography of the torch singer Lilian Roth (the book is great-I thought the movie might have exaggerated her story-it didn't). Another great movie -Susan Hayward's performance in "Smash up, the Story of a Woman"
Another movie I've caught on cable a few times that's pretty good-"The Boost" with James Woods and Sean Young. The move is a bit '80's and dated but Wood's portrayal of a coke addict ( and probably someone with underlying bipolar issues) was pretty spot-on. The movie's focus is the introduction to the drug, the love affair and then the destruction it leaves in it's wake. It doesn't get into rehabilitation.
Last week I caught a fairly new movie from 2012, "Smashed". About a young newly-married couple who's relationship is based on their mutual love of partying and the woman's subsequent decision to get sober. Aaron Paul from the brilliant "Breaking Bad" plays the husband. It's an indie film-slow paced, character driven and highly relatable. This movie details the wife's addiction and the recovery.
Must see-James Woods/James Garner in "My name is Bill" no trip to rehab is complete without it!
For those interested in Al-Anon, "The Lois Wilson Story-When love is not enough". Staring Wynona Ryder-didn't captivate me but might be of interest to someone interested in the creation of Al-Anon. -
FrameXFrame — 11 years ago(September 13, 2014 02:59 PM)
"Permanent Midnight," with Ben Stiller as a Hollywood writer turned heroin addict. Made in 1998. Also, horrifying but with great performances, "Requiem for a Dream." Strong stuff, but as I said, well-acted.
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henrimaine — 10 years ago(May 17, 2015 08:03 PM)
The first movie that came to my head as I was watching this, was One Flew Over Cuckoo Nest. You probably know it and yes, it's not about addictions. But the scenes in the rehab clinic from Clean and Sober were somewhat similar to the scenes in the insane asylum from One Flew Over Cuckoo Nest.
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daverindone — 10 years ago(January 07, 2016 05:26 AM)
Peter Mullan (sp?) was prefect in My Name Is Bill, about a guy battling his drinking problems while trying to hold a job and avoid the local mob.
If you want a funny version, Stewart Saves His Family is another look at how dysfunction and addiction takes it's toll on just about everyone you know.
