Clean Slate (1994)

Simply Perfect

Just perfect...

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Since it didn't affect the overall storyline, I'm rating it decently, though not as high as a 7 because of it. If the dog's blind in one eye, he would have a depth perception problem, not a problem of seeing an object off to the side of where it actually is. Other than that, I really like this one.

Clean Slate isn't a plot strong movie, and it's too bad because it could have used a stronger involved plot, but it's fairly good for what it is, some wacky character comedy. The writers forgot to involve Maurice's memory loss very well into the story. Clean Slate is very hapless. Outside of the lead by Dana Carvey, it has good acting, Valeria Golino, James Earl Jones, Kevin Pollack, Michael Gambon, Michael Murphy and Olivia D'Abo. As much as I like Carvey and as funny as he is, he's better off being Garth. It doesn't much too matter since Carvey's good for the movie being his bad acting skills don't hurt it too much. Carvey strengthens Clean Slate in many regards. Clean Slate is good for its unfaulty self-important perspective on account of its nonrestrictive memory lost plot line that makes for kindly absorption. Valeria Golino makes this movie all the worth while. In my eyes, she is the most beautiful woman. Golino is. I'm dead serious. She's drop dead gorgeous. She has the most beautiful accent and voice. I could sit and listen endlessly to her speak aimless, nonsensical comedy script and be completely love-drunk from it. I really love it. I love her in Hot Shots. I love her in everything she's in. Rain Man is one of my most favorite movies. Valeria Golino is my most desirable woman, just about. She's so damn beautiful. I ain't kiddin' about Valeria, sweet goodness. Her slight sense of humor makes her very deeply attractive. Clean Slate has a good edit and is kindly amusing, very worth while. Valeria Golino's incredible. Wow.

Pogue (Dana Carvey) wakes up one morning in Venice, California and doesn't remember a darn thing about his life. Suffering from daily short term memory loss, way before Drew Barrymore did, Pogue listens to a tape he made the day before. It states he is a private detective and that he has been called upon to testify against a gangster (Michael Gambon) who blew up an automobile containing Pogue's lovely girlfriend, Sara (Valeria Golino). Yet, Sara appears on his doorstep and asks for his help. How can this be? She directs him to follow her to a fashion show, where she will tell him more. In the meantime, Pogue is "arrested" by police officers, who take him to a surprise birthday party, where he is the guest of honor. It seems Pogue used to be a policeman and had contact with a D.A. (James Earl Jones), an assistant D.A. (Kevin Pollack) and others. But, Pogue fails to recognize anything that will jog his memory, not even with a doctor's help (Michael Murphy). Will Pogue and his darling canine, Baby, be able to dodge the bullets of those out to prevent him from testifying, without knowing exactly what is going down? This is a nice little film with a very fine cast. Jones is always welcome and Pollack is acidly funny most of the time, too. Golino is very lovely and Gambon is quite amusing as the designated gangster. As for Carvey, he has such great comic skills that it is a shame that he never gets to attain his usual "go for broke" humor, but he is still funny and a very attractive performer in his own right. Kudos to the little dog in the movie, too, as he is highly entertaining. As for the costumes, sets, and production values, they are quite adequate, and the script and direction show decided originality and zest. In short, if you love Carvey, you will like this film, even though his humor has been toned down. But, truly, anyone who loves off-the-beaten-path comedy films will embrace this one with zeal.

This is the film that really showcases Dana Carvey's talent for comedic acting. I picked it up in a closing down sale at a local video store - I loved the Wayne's World movies and it had also been recommended by a friend. I was not disappointed. This movie has plenty to keep the audience entertained, and our main character never fails to surprise us with his innovation. This film had me in stitches from start to finish. If your not that inclined to go for Dana Carvey, at least remember this review when you're lingering in the video store and can't decide what to get. You won't be disappointed.