Product Details

• Actors: Lombardo Boyar, Darren E. Burrows, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Nick Gillie, Devon Gummersall
• Directors: Paul Quinn
• Writers: Nick Gillie
• Producers: Allan F. Nicholls, Andrew Loo, Charles J. Rusbasan, Grace Loh, Jason Kliot
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 18, 2005
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006J27Y2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,830 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

BRAND NEW - "Never Get Outta The Boat" is probably the best film on drug/alcohol addiction I have seen to date. It certainly transcends "Requiem For A Dream", which I found neither shocking nor moving, and has something that "Traffic" lacks entirely. The first few clips of the film show how each character fared in their career of addictions, which range from alcohol to crack to heroin, with very little exaggeration or downplay. We see degradation on every level--moral, physical, and sexual. Never Get Outta the Boat [VHS] Lombardo Boyar (Actor), Darren E. Burrows (Actor), Paul Quinn (Director) | Rated: R | Format: VHS Tape

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal, July 13, 2005

By 

J from NY (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Never Get Outta the Boat (DVD)

"Never Get Outta The Boat" is probably the best film on drug/alcohol addiction I have seen to date. It certainly transcends "Requiem For A Dream", which I found neither shocking nor moving, and has something that "Traffic" lacks entirely.

The first few clips of the film show how each character fared in their career of addictions, which range from alcohol to crack to heroin, with very little exaggeration or downplay. We see degradation on every level--moral, physical, and sexual.

Cusack does a good job of showing the day to day activities of seriously addicted people trying to get clean, both the camaraderie and the insanity, the betrayals and the friendships which run with such powerful, raw emotion. We come to care about each character, however stubborn or obtuse they may seem. Recovery from addiction is shown precisely as it is: one day of struggle piled on the next, with a vague but definite promise of hope for a happy, or at least hopeful life, above it all. The only unrealistic part of this film are the scenes in which some of the characters attend meetings. N/A and A/A meetings are not ALWAYS that upbeat. They serve more as a framework for the plotline than anything real. Aside from this, I'd recommend this against most of the sensationalized garbage Hollywood churns out about this issue today.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and real, July 5, 2005

By 

Diana H. "Diana" (Cali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Get Outta the Boat (DVD)

As a recovery counselor I found this movie incredibly realistic in it's portrayal of addiction. The characters are diversed but yet, as in real life, addiction hits everyone the same. The end speech is extremely moving. I use it in groups where I work and it touches everyone. I highly recommend Never Get Outta The Boat!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful film on addiction and recovery, February 12, 2005

By 

jybx3 (Louisville, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Get Outta the Boat (DVD)

"Never Get Outta the Boat," directed by John Cusak, is the most powerful and realistic movie I've seen about the struggles of recovery from drug addiction. The characters are a colorful and compelling group of down-and-out addicts with no place left to go but "Recovery House." Events shift from one crisis to another-- the type of crises you'd typically expect among a group of hardcore addicts trying to get clean. What distinguishes this movie is it's authenticity. Each character is well developed and believable. The mood of the movie is reminiscent of Drugstore Cowboy. You really believe these guys (and a few gals in supporting roles) are hardened addicts who could relapse at any moment with dire consequences. I found myself saying "no, don't" out loud when one likeable but seemingly hopeless addict, who is also a rock star in rehab for the 23rd time, relapses yet again. If you want a vivid glimpse at the emotional roller-coaster and high-stakes of addicts struggling in early recovery, this is as honest and powerful account of the struggles, heartaches, and occasional victories addicts experience while battling their demons that I've ever come across. Much grittier and more realistic than the usual sanatized Hollywood treatment of this subject in fims such as "Clean and Sober," "28 Days," "When a Man Loves a Woman" and others.