NateWatchesCoolMovies I've always had a thing for 28 Days. So often in Hollywood there are films that try tackle real issues, but not all of them feel like they've achieved anything, or even portrayed said issues in a realistic, compassionate way. This one shines a probing, nonjudgmental spotlight onto alcoholism, in all it's subtleties and absurd truths, like few other films have. Many films portray alcoholism like a raging mania that turns you rabid and irrational, and while that certainly can be the case, I like how here they show what a semi-functioning addict looks like, as opposed to your atypical abusive archetype. It's also just more pleasant fare too. Despite being a story about great struggle and personal woe, there's lightheartedness to it that's welcome in such stressful territory. Sandra Bullock, that luminous brunette, is pretty much instantly likable in anything, a beautiful, effortless, natural born movie star, giving any film an instant advantage simply by having her headline. Here she plays Gwen, a NYC newspaper columnist who, along with her Brit boyfriend (Dominic West), has a fairly serious problem with the booze. After spectacularly ruining her poor sister's (Elizabeth Perkins) and recklessly crashing a stolen limousine, the thin line between functionality and outright self destruction is crossed, and it becomes time to seek help. Court ordered into rehab, Gwen ships off to an upstate clinic to sleep off the hangover, but the real progress comes from first admitting she has a problem at all. Like any film about rehab, the facility is home to many quaint, quirky people for her to meet, bond and squabble with, fellow addicts on the road to whatever recovery means to them. Steve Buscemi underplays a sly turn as the program founder and lead social worker, Viggo Mortensen is sorta kinda a love interest, but also not really, in an ambiguously written supporting role, and there's solid work from Alan Tudyuk, Marieanne Jean-Baptiste, Azura Skye and Margo Martindale too. Parallel to her treatment we see hazy flashbacks to Gwen being raised by her severely alcoholic mother (Diane Ladd), and get a glimpse of how the hectic, sprawling life of someone who drinks just seems like the mundane to them, internally until they decide to swallow that proverbial red pill, step outside the routine and examine their choices. It's a great little film with an organic, realistic arc for Bullock that she inhabits with grace, humility and humour.

jillianpeirce "28 Days" is a good film that tells a good educational story. Gwen Cummings (Sandra Bullock) lives a fun outgoing life with her boyfriend Jasper (Dominic West). Living in the busy New York City, they are always jumping around from bar to bar and drinking at the club with friends. What makes this film so great, is that Gwen lives with a real problem of alcoholism and drug addiction. When she wakes up late for her sisters wedding, arrives drunk, and ruins the wedding cake, and other disasters unfolded, she was sentenced to 28 days in rehab, or prison. This film is not one you should let pass by because it truly does show an accurate picture of what dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction is like. The writers must have done extensive research to get an accurate portrayal of someone who struggles with both addictions. The film did a great job at showing what life is like for people in rehab centers, and touched upon real emotions that draw you into loving each character you meet. You will get a close up visual on the life of Gwen, and truly, and emotionally, connect to her character and the struggles she is going through. The friendships and bonds that Gwen forms in rehab will allow you to follow her path of rebuilding herself, and appreciate what "28 Days" is capturing. This movie allows you to learn that viewing people in a positive light can help bring out their positive personalities. It is obvious that Gwen and her sister Lily (Elizabeth Perkins) struggle to connect with one another. A line in the movie that was stated by Lily says "You make it impossible for anyone to love you." This is the best line to describe how the two sisters connect. What makes this scene so real is that Lily is strongly struggling to deal with her sisters addictions and no longer knows how to help.I would not let this movie sneak by you, as you can learn a lot about these two addictions. For a serious topic, this movie has some comedic parts that will have you laughing with the characters; But don't worry because if you are a movie crier then grab your box of tissues. You can learn a lot from Gwen and "28 Days", and I would recommend this movie to many people. For some, it may be an educational film, and others an eye opening experience for themselves.

tay-sedai I have watched this movie over and over again and it always makes me cry at the same parts. I won't give spoilers away but suffice to say it's not a typical Bullock romantic comedy or action flick. I guess it could be seen more as drama, or women's fiction? It has its funny moments, so it's not entirely drama. But it's not While You Were Sleeping or Speed either.I think one thing that makes it different is that it isn't about Bullock's character finding love. Unless you consider it about her finding her own love of herself, or self-respect. Really, I think it's about her finding the strength to be on her own and to be who she is. It also involves letting go of the past.The supporting characters were so much fun, and I really like the developing relationship between Gwen and her sister as well. It's all quite an all-star cast, in my opinion at least.

blondehrtbreakr This movie should have never been marketed as a comedy. I don't remember any jokes or funny scenes. Literally.When Gwen (Sandra Bullock), checks into rehab - she would have went through at least 3-4 days of hardcore withdrawal (in the film, she vomits once and appears to have 1 or 2 panic attacks that only last a few minutes). True detox will have you on the toilet, getting sick from both ends, for days and days, no letting up. Some rehabs will medicate you to ease some of the symptoms, but you still go through it. This movie simply did NOT show the real side of what happens to an alcoholic who suddenly stops drinking, or an addict who stops using. From that point on, I couldn't take the movie seriously. Perhaps, if they HAD shown the true side of withdrawal, before jumping into the actual rehab, it would have been more of a cautionary tale.