A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: 28 Days

Date Viewed: 4/16/00

Details:

Sandra Bullock

Viggo Mortensen

Elizabeth Perkins

Diane Ladd

Loudon Wainwright III

Director: Betty Thomas

Score: 1/2

The Review:After destroying her sister's (Perkins) wedding, and wedding cake, and driving the getaway limousine into a house, Bullock ("Booze? Pills? Coke? ... Do I have to pick just one?") is forced to check into a rehab center in the North Carolina back- country -- a sentence of 28 Days -- or face going to jail.

Detox is not a walk in the park, and its portrayal by a curious clique of patients is well- drawn: sometimes poignant and sometimes tense, and occasionally hilarious. Mortensen is Bullock's counselor, an ex-alcoholic himself. The various treatments and group therapies shown seem a combination of AlAnon 12-step programs, group and community building sing-a-longs, New Age chanting, and sentimental hugs coupled with the "tough love" of a minimum security prison. At least the country setting is attractive.

Listen to the "guitar guy" patient (Wainwright) whenever he comes on, because his song lyrics are bizarrely funny.

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