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Clean Slate

Clean Slate

It's a day he'll never forget. Until tomorrow.

1994107 minPG-13Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
Director
Mick Jackson
Starring
Dana Carvey, Valeria Golino, James Earl Jones, Kevin Pollak

Pogue is a private eye with a problem: every morning when he wakes up, he has total amnesia, waking up with a 'blank slate'. Since he is in the middle of a hot investigation and has a developing romance, this is less than convenient.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Clean Slate?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Clean Slate on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Clean Slate?

Clean Slate earns 3 badges, led by Box Office Flop and Preferred by Non-US Viewers.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Clean Slate worth watching?

Clean Slate's Midcredits score is the 30th percentile of all films, from 6.7K ratings across 4 sources. 33% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

30th percentile

Better received than 30% of films

33rd percentile among Comedy33rd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)35th
Approval (how many liked it)27th

57 /100

35th percentile of all films

39th percentile among Comedy37th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

33% liked it

27th percentile of all films

28th percentile among Comedy29th percentile among 1990s
33% rated it 7–1067% rated it 1–6

Critics 13% · Audience 36%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

78th percentile

6.7K ratings across platforms

76th percentile among Comedy72nd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 51% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$18M
Opening weekend$3.1M
Domestic gross$7.4M
Worldwide gross$7.4M

Returned 0.4× its budget — 69th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A comedy about a private detective with daily amnesia, driven by situation and Carvey's physical comedy.

Fans praised

  • Dana Carvey's underappreciated comedic performance
  • clever concept — comedy Memento before its time
  • surprisingly witty and original script

Detractors panned

  • jokes fall flat — Carvey's humor toned down and annoying
  • weak plot squanders the amnesia premise
  • unnecessary crude content and sexual innuendo

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive75

amnesia comedy antedates Memento's conceit

ActingDivisive65

Carvey charming but limited; strong supporting cast

AtmosphereDivisive60

light film noir parody tone

HumorDivisive55

divided: some find belly laughs, others stale

CharactersDivisive52

memorable dog, gangster underwritten

DialogueDivisive50

mostly functional, some witty lines

Plot and storyDivisive48

premise clever but execution uneven

Pacing45

runs a bit long, drags in middle

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Clean Slate like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmTenseRomantic
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its amnesia premise and crime plot for lighthearted comedy, never undercutting its own story but treating it with cheerful sincerity.
The rideThe mood is light and affectionate for most of the film, with mild suspense during the investigation and a slightly heavier climax during the final confrontation.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning, middle, and end, with Maurice waking up, investigating, and confronting the gangster.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a light, cheerful impression after a clever comedy with a heartwarming resolution.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% (this title) · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

7% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA private detective with daily amnesia is investigating a gangster he must testify against; the story is driven by uncovering the truth and surviving the ensuing danger.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMemorySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% (this title) · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Memory · 3% of filmsJustice · 13% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe protagonist's daily amnesia is both a comedic obstacle and a thematic lens on identity and recollection, while the plot turns on testifying against a criminal for a past crime.
StanceThe film presents the amnesia and criminal investigation as a comedic challenge for the protagonist, observing his condition without moral judgment and focusing on his personal journey.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Alan Silvestri
SettingVenice, California in the mid-1990s
MusicA light, energetic score that underscores the comedic and suspenseful beats.

Content guide

Is Clean Slate okay for kids?

PG-13

Clean Slate is rated PG-13.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Germany12
  • NetherlandsAL

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Clean Slate have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Clean Slate?

Cast

Dana Carvey
as Maurice L. Pogue
Valeria Golino
as Sarah Novak
James Earl Jones
as John Dolby
Kevin Pollak
as Rosenheim
Michael Gambon
as Cornell
Michael Murphy
as Dr. Doover
Jayne Brook
as Paula
Vyto Ruginis
as Hendrix
Olivia d'Abo
as Judy
Angela Paton
as Shirley Pogue

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Clean Slate?

The closest match to Clean Slate is L.A. Story (1991); both are films by Mick Jackson.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Clean Slate?

2.7K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: detective. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.