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Amazon.co.uk Review
To appreciate 28 Days, it's best to be thankful that director Betty Thomas hasn't forced Sandra Bullock into a remake of Clean and Sober. Instead Thomas has balanced her comedic sensibility (evident in Dr. Dolittle and Private Parts) with the seriousness of alcoholism and substance abuse, and she succeeds without compromising the gravity of the subject matter. Some critics have scoffed at the movie's breezy, formulaic portrait of 27-year-old boozer and pill-popper Gwen Cummings (Bullock), but this smooth-running star vehicle does for Bullock what Erin Brockovich did for Julia Roberts, focusing her appeal in a substantial role without taxing the limits of her talent. It's no wonder that Susannah Grant (who wrote both films) was one of the hottest new screenwriters of 1999. She writes "Hollywood Lite" without insulting anyone's intelligence.
As played by Bullock, Gwen is an alcoholic in denial whose latest bender with boozer boyfriend Jasper (Dominic West) ruins the wedding of her sister (Elizabeth Perkins) and lands her in a month-long rehab program with the requisite gang of struggling drunks and junkies. Newcomer Alan Tudyk steals his scenes as a gay German rehabber who might've dropped in from a Berlin performance-art exhibit, and Steve Buscemi aptly conveys the weary commitment of a counsellor who's seen it all. Thomas has surrounded Bullock with a sharp ensemble, and the addition of singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III (as a kind of Greek chorus crooner) is sublimely inspired. Certainly no surprises here--the warring sisters will reconcile, and at least one rehabber will fail to recover--but there's ample pleasure to be found in Bullock's finely tuned performance, and in Thomas's inclusion of flashbacks and tangents that add depth and laughter in just the right dosage. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Sandra Bullock plays a habitually drunk or hung-over, pill popping party girl who arrives late and dishevelled for her sister's wedding and dances so wildly that she goes careering into the cake. In an attempt to buy a replacement, she then steals the wedding limo and ends up sentenced to 28 days in rehab for crashing it into a house. So far, so wild and outrageous. The bulk of this thoughtful movie deals with her character's efforts to get sober, despite her carefree boyfriend's sabotaging visits. There is a fine ensemble performance from her fellow inmates. Steve Buscemi also puts in brief appearances as her counsellor. This is not Bullock's usual light-hearted fare. She shows she can cut it in a serious role too. Worth watching.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the kind of film that everyone would like... Its the kind of thing you could watch during the day for something to do, its easy going, lighthearted, and makes you laugh.
Sandra Bullock plays 'Gwen' a woman who lives her life from party to hangover to party again- and as a result of getting wasted at her sisters wedding, and behaving badly she is asked to spend 28 days in rehab.- It might sound depressing, but it really isnt, its very very funny...
A well done movie with a subtle message...
Essential DVD
A*****
Sandra Bullock plays 'Gwen' a woman who lives her life from party to hangover to party again- and as a result of getting wasted at her sisters wedding, and behaving badly she is asked to spend 28 days in rehab.- It might sound depressing, but it really isnt, its very very funny...
A well done movie with a subtle message...
Essential DVD
A*****
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although this is a very serious subject, the film does not make light of it in any way. Bullock is perfect in this role as the outrageous sister who's cake splattering antics ruin her sister's wedding. Buscemi is the 'seen it all' counsellor whom she has to fight to stay put, and although his part isn't huge, he's almost the sober voice of God in her struggle to become clean. However, if we're talking howls of laughter here, then the prize goes to the camp German guy, who was just so wonderful I can't begin to describe him. It's almost worth watching this just to see what he's going to say next. All in all - kind of predictable in places, but Bullock is so watchable, you don't want the film to end.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
its OK but a bit bland
I buy a lot of films on DVD and whilst this was a perfectly fine film, I've seen better and I don't think I'll be watching this one again in a hurry.
Published 3 months ago by c1h8e0l
Average Comedy/Drama
Sandra Bullock takes on a more serious role than usual in this light comedy drama set in rehab. Bullock's performance is OK, and the movie is reasonably entertaining, however I... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lord Anon
Sandra Bullock
Im a massive Sandra Bullock fan and am buying all the movies shes made so Im slightly biased. I love this movie, the start was quite funny but when she goes to rehab things get... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Connor Brailsford
28 Days (DVD) (2000) Sandra Bullock/Dominic West
This must be one Sandra Bullock's best film roles. It begins in a very hillarious way. She plays Gwen Cummings, a writer and fun loving, drinking, party and pill-popping clubber,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Derek Vernon-morris
Sandra Bullock's best performance and movie - great acting all-round
I confess my initial pleasure from this movie came from seeing Bullock suffer so much as a drug addict (is that nasty? Yes, I confess, again). Read more
Published 13 months ago by R. G. White
Girly Film
Watch anything with Sandra Bullock absolutely brilliant,film was ok but I did have a couple of glasses of wine while watching it.It makes you think about lifestyle etc.
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth A. Kane
A very different part for Sandra Bullock
I bought this DVD as I usually like everything Sandra Bullock does and this didn't disappoint me BUT she plays an extremely unlikable character. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Mrs. S. Barnes
Jonjan
Enjoyable film.
For a start Sandra Bullock is Sandra Bullock, but as the plot develops she becomes a changed character. Read more
For a start Sandra Bullock is Sandra Bullock, but as the plot develops she becomes a changed character. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2009 by John A. Wilson
Funny and True
I watched this in rehab for alcoholism. It was funny enough to raise a lot of laughs and true enough to cause a lot of tears. Excellent performances all round.
Published on 5 Sep 2008 by David M. Palmer
Predictable, Contrived and utterlly shallow.
Oh dear.
There is something very patronising about the whole tone of the film. You never quite buy in to it's characters or premise. Read more
There is something very patronising about the whole tone of the film. You never quite buy in to it's characters or premise. Read more
Published on 15 April 2008 by anon-london
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