4/5 Phenomenal
  by J from NY (New York)
"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.

5/5 Powerful and real
  by Diana H. (Cali)
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!

5/5 Powerful film on addiction and recovery
  by jybx3 (Louisville, Kentucky)
"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.

4/5 POWER
  by B. Fitzgerald (salem, or)
Addicts struggling to overcome drug dependancy in a rehab center are reminded of the importance of their success when a housemate's relapse ends in tragedy.
for a recovering addict , this is a very interesting movie to watch, in the sense that in the end you will really appreciate your sobriety!

2/5 Snapshot of addiction: Two-weeks worth of junkies' fighting their demons
  by M. Schreuder (provo, utah United States)
A rambling vignette of a group of recovering ex-con addicts who seem hopelessly glued to their world of narco-narcissism. Imagine stepping into an inner city Drug Rehab Program for forty-something coke-heads and booze-brothers and following them through their daily travails. This is what watching this film is all about.

Superb performances and authentic dialogue are counterbalanced by the tedium of watching the day-to-day meanderings of dope fiends who do very little of a noteworthy nature other than get a girl friend pregnant and overdose on heroin. For its realism, this picture is without equal: it is superb. As a compelling drama, it falls flat thanks to a story that has just too few meaty nuggets to keep one's interest.