Reviews (34)

From a guy's point of view...
Okay, I'm not into chick flicks, but I like romantic movies. This movie is amazing because it avoids the pitfalls that alot of romantic movies fall into by not mixing an essential amount of testosterone necessary to keep a guy feeling like he's part of the scenario. (I absolutely abhored Best Friend's Wedding.) Movies that are of the same genre as this: An Affair to Remember? A classic, but by the time I was old enough to appreciate romance movies, I was intolerant of Cary Grant's accent. Sleepless in Seattle had it's moments. BUT, Love Affair nails it! It's funny, clever, romantic... Annette Benning commands the screen. Warren Beatty--I mean, does this movie strike an exact chord, or what? The chemistry is perfect because, aside from the tragedy it entails, it IS a true story! WB is depicted as a famous womanizing stud (which anybody who's been around for a few years is well aware that he actually was). One day traveling on a plane he meets the woman that's his soulmate. The way she 'operates' him is poetry in motion. Bottom line: The cast, the soundtrack, the storyline, the locations, Ray Charles in concert doing a Christmas song, the cruise ship, the walk on an island in Tahiti, the humor, etc. I could go on & on about how much I love this movie. I recorded this on cable several years ago and can't tell you how many times I've watched it. (Now it's on DVD...Y-E-A-H!!!) Ladies, are you having a hard time of getting your man to watch a romantic movie? Well this is your ticket! Take it from a guy, this movie absolutely rules! Just make sure you get some tissues for him too!

KATE HEPBURN MAKES THIS WATCHABLE
I have not seen the Cary Grant version so I had little to compare this predictable chickflick with. In fact the first 40 minutes or so can pretty much be skipped. I'd say the film even starts when Katherine Hepburn appears on the scene. She lends the movie its spine, the very reason our two protagonists come together, and the movie is a very decent romantic story from then on, with an occasional tinge of humor. Benning in particular is stunning with her understated rendition of a woman in emotional doldrums. A worthy rental overall, but not exactly a spectacular movie.

One of the Best Romance Movies
I have seen An Affair to Remember long before I watched Love Affair. Altho "An Affair..." became one of my favorite classics (along w/ Gone with the Wind and Casablanca), I personally prefer Love Affair because i was more moved by it. the actors are brilliant, especially Ms. Bening, whose eyes captivate the audience. she just GLOWS in it and Mr Beatty is effortless in playing himself. they give the film a sense of reality. the movies basks the audiences in feeling of excitement, despair and hope of falling in love. it's a classic. so yeah, don't forget the box of tissue. i can't get enough of this film!

A pale shadow of An Affair to Remember
I'm afraid this movie is at best a pale shadow of its predecessor (An Affair to Remember). Annette Benning and Warren Beatty are woefully short on precisely those qualities which made Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant (in the original) so unforgettable -- wit, charm, chemistry, and STYLE. The presence of Kathleen Hepburn was no help -- the scene between her and Benning seems so stiff and uncomfortable beside the genuinely warm and charming meeting between Kerr and Cathleen Nesbitt (a truly gracious and affectionate lady, playing Grant's grandma). The only thing in this remake which challenges the original is Ennio Morricone's (as always) beautiful and moving score. It has the one thing the film as a whole lacks -- conviction.

A Classic
It's a beautiful classic made during our time. If you love romance, this is a beatiful remake of a classic. Love the children's and Annette's rendition of the Beatles "I Will". Dissapointed that the song is not on the original soundtrack. I bought the VHS version in 96 and lent it to my friends. They all loved it. They kept wanting to borrow and replay it - for the song; as well as for the beautiful everything that best describes the the movie. The VHS is now kaput and I definitely have this in my list of the next one to add to my collection of DVDs. Hope you will enjoy it too. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

"Yes. I would like my romance light with very little fluff."
This is more predictable Hollywood romance, with a dash of semi-realism. While it is noteworthy to point out the strong female character that Jennifer Aniston plays, the script eventually falls into the classic mold of misconstrued circumstances leading (hopefully) to outright laughter. While the laughs never really come, the romance between Mrs. Aniston and Jay Mohr is charged with some believable chemistry. These two people really like each other, and not just platonically. Some of the potential laughs are forced, like every scene involving Olympia Dukakis and her loud over-acting. Kevin Bacon really doesn't come across as a believable love-interest, either. It would have been better had he been a complete slimeball. There are no characters to either love nor hate, and only the lead female character to admire; and for all the heterosexual men in the world, only Jay Mohr's character to envy. Jennifer Aniston eventually has to carry this film until Jay Mohr shows up, so the first 30 minutes are laborious. But once the chemistry begins and the embers start to glow, the movie reveals a kind of honesty that is refreshing. This is a solid rental; or if you are a hopeless/hopeful romantic, this just might be your cup of coffee.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE
Jennifer Aniston is the best in this movie!!! Its sooo cute I can never get tired of it!!

Its about a woman, Kate who pretends to be engaged with a man, Nick, she doesnt know whom she met at a friend's wedding. With this lie she finally gets a promotion she deserves and an eye of a man who just started to notice her. Soon later he gets famous by saving a little girl and her boss and the people she works with wanted to meet with him. After spending much time with him he falls for her, but all she wants to do is break up with him. Soon after he leaves and she ends up missing him and realizes that she loves him... A GREAT movie!! GO watch it!

One of her best!
I love to see her play leading roles in these types of movies. Jennifer looks absolutely gorgeous is all the short skirts she wears in this film, but they fit her personality and beauty so well!! She certainly has the legs and used them to her advantage! Her acting ability was superb in Picture Perfect and she's certainly the star of the show. She can be serious and witty and very business like. Rather than get into the nitty gritty about the story, let's just say that I'd hightly recommend it to anyone wanting good entertainment on most any nights with lots of laughts and a story that stays with you.

Not quite picture perfect, but cute none the less...
Jennifer Aniston stars in this romantic comedy and does a great job at her performance. I enjoyed her acting and the acting of Jay Mohr and Kevin Bacon, but the story line could have been better. It didn't really pull on my heartstrings like a lot of other romantic comedys out there. I would compare it to that teacher you had in Junior High, you know the one that taught health (a realitively unexciting class) who was a good teacher, but years down the line you can't quite remember her name. Well this is that movie...you love Jennifer Aniston, but years down the line you won't be able to remember if you've ever seen this movie, or you will remember seeing it, but not remember the plot.

As it is, a good movie for what it's worth. Light and doesn't require a lot of thinking. I wouldn't suggest buying it, but renting might not be a bad idea.

Loved it
Although it seems that few people liked the film, I thought it was pretty good. As in most romantic comedies, the plot was pretty predictable, but all the actors did a great job. I love it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

After making his mark in several hit comedies including Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton startled critics and audiences alike with his acclaimed performance in this 1988 drama about one man's struggle against cocaine addiction. Keaton's comedic energy is transformed here into the kind of jittery intensity that's perfect for his role, suggesting a driven personality who can maintain the appearance of self-control for only so long before he crashes and burns. After a series of setbacks, Keaton's character seeks refuge in a drug rehabilitation program and must confront the truth of his own addiction at the urging of a counselor (Morgan Freeman) who's heard every lame excuse in the book from addicts struggling to quit. Kathy Baker leads a superb supporting cast as a recovering alcoholic and battered wife whose flagging self-esteem is boosted by Keaton's attention. Under the careful direction of Glenn Gordon Caron (of TV's Moonlighting fame), Keaton and Baker handle this delicate material with consummate skill and grace, turning a potentially depressing story into a moving portrait of people who must battle their inner demons step by tentative step. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Great First "dramatic" role!
If you do any type of collecting, you know that you eventually run across hidden gems in bargain places. Such was it for me w/this DVD. Look in just about any retail movie outlet under DVDs under 10.00 & you're bound to find this movie! What a buy! This was Michael (Beetleguises) first real dramatic role. Unlike a lot of comedic actors before him ( Bill Murray's Razor's Edge springs to mind), Keaton brings home a powerful performance of a chronic substance abuser in rehab for all the wrong reasons. What he comes away with, and what the audience comes away with, is a tightly woven film, full of interesting characters and fine performances, lead, of course, by Michael Keaton. Although some will argue that he's had his share of dramatic roles since, they've all been either contrived (My Life), cartoonish (Batman), or psychos (Pacific Heights & Extreme Measures). What Keaton needs is more fine roles like he enjoyed in this film to make the leap from comedic actor to dramatic actor (ala Tom Hanks). I just hope that he can at least keep his incredible comedic edge!

Keaton has never supassed this movie, yet
This still is Micheal Keaton's best film. Oddly, it was his first dramatic film. Most people today know Keaton as someone who does dramatic films, not remembering he always did comedies and standup. He did Mr. Mom, Beetlejuice, the Dream Team, Night Shift, etc. Taken in light of this, Clean and Sober is a very depressing film, and one of the better films to handle the often overly-used storyline on drug addiction. I was stunned at Keaton's acting ability in this film. You genuinely hated him, but throughout the film, you learn to accept him and give him the thumbs up as he tries to build his life back together. Not a family flick, nor a rousing "I'm glad I'm alive" film. It's a dark and realistic film. And, hey, it's got Morgan Freeman in a stellar supporting role, too. Keaton's best film to date.

The DVD doesn't have anything else on it, but frankly, here's one instance where I just wouldn't want anything extra. It would have been nice to have Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, but I can live with it. It's not an action film, after all.

Yes, but now he needs to quit smoking cigarettes
I've seen this movie in the Bargain Bins? I bought it for 3 times the price but I don't regret it. Several of my favorite movies can be had cheap now. This movie is sobering. The acting is flawless. It should be a very depressing movie but it's not for some reason. I think I've watched this one more than any I have in my collection.

displeased with Warner Bros.
Its a shame that Warner Brothers dismissed this excellent film, probably the best they released in the '80's, with a shoddy transfer and no extras. The DVD menu does not even have a graphic from the film but instead their obnoxious WB gold logo. At least a trailer would be nice. I'm not asking for a 7 disc Criterion Collection edition with 40 hours of supplemental footage or anything. They did this with Driving Miss Daisy" also. No widescreen either. Nonetheless, the DVD does exist. Hopefully, Warner will do a better job with After Hours when they get around to transfering that.

Sobering, Thought-Provoking Film
One of the toughest things about drug and alcohol addiction is owning up to the fact of that addiction; being able to say, "I'm an addict." Because until that happens, the addiction will continue and the prospect of getting any help will lessen with each passing day. And the important thing is getting that help before it's too late, regardless of how it comes about. It's being able to recognize the opportunity and having the gumption to take advantage of it, which is what happens to a young man on the brink of disaster in "Clean and Sober," directed by Glenn Gordon Caron. Michael Keaton stars as Daryl Poynter, a high power real estate broker with a couple of problems: He's appropriated some $90,000 from an escrow account to play the stock market (which quickly took a nose-dive on him, leaving him about $52,000 short), but that's not even his biggest problem; his biggest problem is that he's a cocaine addict, as well as an alcoholic-- and he doesn't even know it. All he knows is that his life is in turmoil and he can't fathom why. And when a girl picks up at a mall ODs in his bed one morning, his life really begins to fall apart. He needs some time to sort things out and he needs to get away-- to hide for awhile-- and he comes up with a brilliant idea; he'll hide out in a rehab center where they guarantee anonymity and confidentiality.

He checks in, and it works. Nobody knows where he is, and the rules of the house prevent him from having any contact with the outside world. But Daryl-- a born hustler-- has hustled himself into a corner this time. Because he can't stay in if he doesn't play the game, which precipitates taking a long, hard look at himself. So for the first time in his life he gets caught up in his own scam; and it just may be his salvation. But before he can come back, he's going to have to hit rock bottom first, which he does-- in a pivotal scene involving a phone call to his mother. And it's only when he's faced with total collapse that he finally begins to look inward, and to take stock of how he measures up against the others he meets at the facility; when he starts to realize that he's not the only person on the planet.

Working from a tightly written screenplay by Tod Carroll, director Caron delivers a hard-hitting film that takes an uncompromising look at the effects of addiction, without relying or dwelling upon the physical aspects of the problem to illustrate the depths of despair to which it can lead. To be sure, Daryl looks strung out; but that aside, the story relentlessly chronicles how swiftly drugs and alcohol can wreck a life in all regards. It's a powerful statement, unflinchingly delivered in a concise and straightforward manner. Caron approaches the subject head-on, avoiding any melodramatics while keeping it grounded in reality, which enhances the impact of the drama as it plays out. And it clearly demonstrates how far-reaching the problem is, in that it touches so many others-- friends and family-- any and all who come into contact with Daryl. It gives a personal perspective on the issue that is even more pronounced, in fact, than that of Sandra Bullock's "28 Days" or the more recent "Blow," and is more emotionally involving as well, on the level of Steven Soderbergh's affecting drama, "Traffic." This is an Oscar-worthy film on any number of levels, but 1988 was the year of "Rain Man," and the Academy was clearly looking in another direction, leaving this film without even a nomination. And it's a shame.

As Daryl, Michael Keaton gives a performance that had Oscar written all over it; that he failed to receive even a nomination for his work here is a travesty, as this is without question the best he's ever done and on a par with any of the best of that year, including Hoffman's Oscar-winner. Whenever an actor can disappear within a character so completely-- as Keaton does here-- it speaks volumes about the performance and the believability of that character; and there's no sign of Keaton when Daryl is on screen. Keaton has a very definitive persona, but as you watch Daryl, there's not so much as a fleeting glimpse of Billy Blaze in "Night Shift," Carter Hayes in "Pacific Heights," Jack in "Mr. Mom," or even "Beetlejuice" or "Batman." With Daryl, Keaton has created a unique character, so real and presented with such intensity, that even a passing thought that this is an actor playing a role is impossible. And that's a performance that deserves much more than a passing nod of acknowledgement.

Also turning in an extremely affecting performance is Kathy Baker, as Charlie Standers, a fellow addict Daryl meets in rehab. Baker has an alluring quality that works perfectly for the blue-collar character of Charlie, whose vulnerability quickly gains the sympathy of the audience and helps to draw you into the story emotionally. There's an obvious softness beneath Charlie's rough-hewn exterior that is becoming, a down-to-earth aspect of the character that Baker conveys quite nicely. This is a very real person she puts up on the screen, and it's easy to believe that she operates a crane in a steel mill, because there's nothing in the way Charlie is presented that is false or pretentious. It's a solid performance, and one of the strengths of the film.

The supporting cast includes Morgan Freeman, who gives an understated, impressive performance as Craig, Daryl's counselor; Claudia Christian (Iris); M. Emmet Walsh (Richard), Tate Donovan (Donald), Brian Benben (Martin) and Henry Judd Baker (Xavier). A realistic examination of a problem that affects virtually everyone either directly or indirectly, "Clean and Sober" is a sobering film that, while at times is emotionally draining, is nevertheless a worthwhile and entirely satisfying experience. ... Read more