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Show Keaton comes "Clean and Sober" Park Record Thursday, September 1, 1988 Page B9 ,"" "" J 11 ' IHI.. HI II- .1. I. -UN .-I.l.I,, r?K f4J If ii V- I J$jdz-Z Military brats set out to rescue dads Michael Keaton, as Daryl, sits through therapy in "Clean and Sober. By SUSAN DAVIS Record guest writer "Clean and Sober" is a film dealing with a man who goes through a drug rehabilitation program, and the consequences con-sequences that follow. Michael Keaton stars in "Clean and Sober" and is the star as Daryl Poynter whose life has suddenly taken a turn in an unexpected directiondownward. direc-tiondownward. Investments that Daryl has made with the $92,000 he "borrowed" from an escrow account are showing rapidly diminishing returns. The woman he shared both drugs and bed with has yet to wake up, and the police have asked Daryl to hang around just in case she never does. Despite their request, his spur-of-the-moment travel plans have been thwarted by credit card companies who insist on receiving their overdue payments. What Daryl desperately needs is a place to go where no one can find him until things calm down a: u. A fortuitous flip of the radio dial provides Daryl with just the temporary tem-porary haven he seeks the , Causeway House, a chemical dependency center with a 21-day detoxification program that r promises pro-mises total iiscretioh"as 'well as complete privacy. Of course Daryl has no real use for a facility of this kind, other than its vlue as temporary tem-porary asylum. Those other poor souls enrolled in the program may not have the self-control to use drugs and alcohol on a strictly recreational basis, but that certainly doesn't have anything to do with him. Daryl Poynter is NOT an addict. Or so he says. "Clean and Sober" has Daryl making his way through'treatment at the center, his body does cleanse itself of the abusive substances within. His encounters with the staff and patients at the center, however, have a surprising side effect. Daryl Poynter slowly realizes that the immediate im-mediate physical pains of drug withdrawl are somewhat easier to cope with than the emotional and psychological changes taking place. Despite the firm and unyielding guidance of Craig (Morgan Freeman), an ex-addict-turned-counselor at the center, Daryl finds his problems haven't disappeared with his reentry from the clinic. Though the temptation to do a line or two of coke is still strong, some things HAVE changed. First, there's Richard Dirks (M. Emmet Walsh), Daryl's new sponsor from the AA meeting he went to. Dirks just wants, to help Daryl straighten out his life, whether Daryl asks for help or not. And then there's Charlie (Kathy Baker), that woman from the clinic. She's really not the type he's normally nor-mally attracted to, but there's something about her that intrigues Daryl, though he can't really define these feelings. What Daryl is sure of is that Charlie certainly doesn't -belong with the ex-con she's living with. Beside, Daryl's trying to get HIS life together, and Charlie's trying try-ing to get HER life together. Perhaps they can find the courage to help each other, and do it together. On the surface, the Daryl Poynter that comes out of Causeway House may not look much different than RATINGS A snooze Double feature material the one who went in, but this Daryl Poynter knows, with exhilaration, that he's going to try to make his life work without the help of drugs. In the process of discovering a newfound new-found respect for himself he is committed com-mitted to finding it in others. Perhaps to his own surprise he has also discovered the capacity to love and to survive. What lie finds out is that some cliches are, in fact, born out of truth. Daryl Poynter is going to have to take each day of this new life one at a time and begins by receiving a 30-day chip, a token commemorating com-memorating 30 days of sobriety. In "Clean and Sober," Michael Keaton adds yet another layer to an already diverse screen persona proving pro-ving that he can show a more serious side on the screen and he does it well. What fascinated me about the film was that in its heart was a story about redemption. At its essence is the theme, "You can't dig a hole so deep that you still can't climb out of it". As the top special task force of the U.S. Navy, the elite team of SEALS (Sea, Air, Land Specialists) live and work by one code: "We Take Care of Our Own." It's an oath that Navy brats J.J. Merrill, Adrian Phillips, Max Rothman, Shawn and Bobby Howard heard often while they were growing up on the base in South Korea but now their fathers' lives depend on their ability to put the SEAL creed into action. When high-ranking officers Howard (Charles Haid), Merrill (Edward Albert), Phillips (Timothy Carhart) and Wicks (Michael Gates Phenicie) are captured while executing ex-ecuting a top-secret mission in enemy waters off North Korea, the men's families initially look to the U.S. Government for help. But the military brass refuse to intervene, fearing that a retaliation could result in an explosive political situation. situa-tion. Five people who won't write off the men's lives, however, are their feisty offspring. With time and hope running out, the spunky second generation SEALS steal a copy of the government's abandoned rescue plan and set out to bring their fathers home. Armed with unshakable un-shakable reserves of courage and determination and faced with dangers at every turn, their expedition expedi-tion becomes an adventure beyond their wildist imaginings and a riveting demonstration of just how far a true SEAL will go to "take care of his own." Although "The Rescue" is an ensemble piece, the courageous unit of self-appointed rescuers is made up of five distinct characters, each of whom makes a unique contribution contribu-tion to the group effort. Kevin Dillon stars as J.J., a rebellious loner who, though estranged from his father, manages to turn his feelings of anger and alienation into a force of intense determination. The brains of the "Rescue" clan is Marc Price as Max, a clever scientist-inventor with a kind of razor sharp, droll sense of humor that lends itself perfectly to the character. As the group's willful tomboy Adrian, played by Christina Harnos is really caught in that awkward adolescent stage, not liking lik-ing clothes and make-up, being a bit defiant and a rebel as well. Shawn (Ned Vaughn) and Bobby (Ian Giat-ti) Giat-ti) portray brothers who don't always show their love for each other, but when they are in danger, they discover how much they really do feel for each other. "The Rescue," a new edge-of-your-seat adventure is a marvelous story that captures the real manner in which parents and children relate. This is a wonderful film that is purely pure-ly entertaining, something the whole family should go see. Save up to 80 on the finest brands of ski equipment, apparel and accessories. Close out deals on our entire stock of sailboards, mountain bikes, fly fishing equipment, and summer sportswear. Sale starts Saturday, September 3rd. 1 600 Park Avenue and Park City Resort Center Recommended A classic |