How does a woman in a rehab center recover when surrounded by other equally dysfunctional individuals?
Story
Gwen Cummings (Sandra Bullock) drinks too much, pops too many pills and avoids taking responsibility for her misguided life. That is, until the day she ruins her sister's wedding by falling into the cake and crashing the newlyweds' limo into a house, and lands in a recovery center. The story, while tailored to fit Bullock's acting style, doesn't break any new dramatic or comedic ground. Much of the humor is contrived, and many worse-off celluloid addicts have redeemed themselves more convincingly.
Acting
There's just no end to Bullock's girl-next-door sweetness. Even when she's playing a self-abusive addict, she's still warm and fuzzy. But Sandra as bad-girl Bullock falls short. Dominic West as carefree boozer boyfriend Jasper, who justifies his drug use with shallow friendships, is everything Bullock's execution should have been. Gritty and cynical yet endearing, he steals the show.Thursday, May 18, 2000
Direction
Director Betty Thomas' characters stand out with strong identities but don't work well together. Sadly, the cast of the patients' favorite soap opera, "Santa Cruz," is more entertaining and believable than Sandra's posse. Thomas tries to blend humor and drama but loses her direction in the process.
Bottom Line
28 Days could use a little rehab of its own.