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I agree, OP.

at least a nomination for this one
When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth

Keaton did deserve an Oscar for this role without a doubt. As Siskel and Ebert said in their review of this film, they've seen a lot of actors pull the whole roll out of bed and act like a junkie routine, but with Michael Keaton you could truly believe it. The judges don't even have to see films to vote on them so that may be why he was overlooked and didn't even get a nomination. They can vote off of buzz and hype, and I imagine this film wasn't exactly a box office blockbuster.
George Bush smokes Alabama Kusch.

I think because the film was released in the late summer that it didn't do so well and was forgotten by Oscar time.

Excellent point Todd. That's why the AMPAS is all political. They throw the honors on those who are in favor of creating big BO receipts. The last time I saw a travesty of this nature was in 1982-when Local Hero was overlooked for nearly everything it could have been nominated for. We'll see it again in the future. Great Acting + low Box Office = No nomination. Lousy acting + big Box Office = Who cares?
Next thing they'll be breeding us like cattle. You've gotta tell them. SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!

But this film got relatively positive reviews when it came out and, along with Keaton, Kathy Baker's and Morgan Freeman's performances were both hailed. I think the reason Keaton didn't get an Oscar nod was because the film didn't exactly set the box office on fire. If this movie would have been released post-internet/instant media/pc age, it would have garnered more word-of-mouth publicity and more people would have heard about it and seen it. Look what's going on with "The Wrestler". The same type of low budget/"small" film has gotten a lot of attention and Oscar's notice simply from the internet. I heard about 'The Wrestler" and Mickey Rourke's highly touted performance in it 6 months before it was even given a limited release. In 1988, if you didn't see Clean and Sober's listing in the theater section of the local paper, you probably didn't even know it was out. There was very little promotion for it on tv or in the trades.

Keaton was brilliant in this film. Likely the reason he was overlooked is because the film was somewhat average. Still a great film, but unfortunately great acting in a relatively good, but average film doesn't get as much Oscar attention as it usually deserves. Oscar or not, this film was none the less monumental in Keaton's career because it established him as someone who was more than a comedian. I think this film really was the birth of Keaton's career as an actor, and not just a comedian.
George Bush smokes Alabama Kusch.

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Can't believe he wasn't even nominated. Ridiculous man.stupid Academy.
"I am Reality"

He undoubtedly should have won it. It's one of the best performances ever.

Keaton should have won for Clean and Sober. I always thought so. This wasn't even a close call for me.

The guy was robbed. The academy should be ashamed of themselves.

Keaton was nothing short of brilliant in this film and should have at least received a nomination.

Agree !
i hope you choke on your bacardi & coke!
Team Landa

I totally agree that Keaton deserved an Oscar for this. If there is any doubt about a win then he at least deserved a nomination. This was one of the most realistic depictions of drug abuse that I've seen. The movie itself doesn't hold up all the way until the end, but Keaton is brilliant.
Gandhi baked is good.

Yeah, it's a true shame.

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The crime here is he didn't even get a nomination. Underrated actor definitely. That speech at the end is one of the most memorable that I've ever seen. Proud to say that I seen this in the theater opening weekend.

AMEN. Keaton is a god in the business.

I agree. He's a great actor who has a tremendous range.
J

holy cow! dustin hoffman/ rain man won that year?
over keatons performance in this movie???
that is a crime.
keaton is IMO the single most under-rated actor in Hollywood.
he can do it all, funny, serious, drama, good-guy, bad-guy, whatever.

I think Morgan deserved one too, this is such a damn underrated movie. People couldn't take Keaton's previous work as serious as this, though it was really serious and genuine. Great damn movie.

Agreed.
J
"No! I'm Leon Spinx"
-Barfly