28 Days

On the day of her sister's wedding, Gwen Cummings, played by Sandra Bullock, crashes a car while drunk and faces a stark choice between prison and rehab. She chooses the rehab center but treats it as a nuisance, denying that she has an alcohol problem. The film follows her awkward start in a tight treatment program, where counselors push for participation and fellow patients challenge her with blunt honesty and humor. Amid the quirky routines and tough love, she clashes with staff and forms uneasy bonds with people like Eddie Boone, played by Viggo Mortensen, and Andrea, who push her toward accountability. Over time, small confrontations, honest conversations, and a few surprising victories nudge Gwen toward a different idea of recovery and the life she wants to rebuild.

Directed by Betty Thomas and released in 2000, the film comes from an original screenplay by Susannah Grant. It presents a contemporary depiction of rehab rather than an adaptation, focusing on character dynamics, humor that stays grounded, and emotional honesty.

It earned about 62.2 million worldwide against a 43 million budget, signaling a solid return for a mid range studio dramedy. The box office performance reflects steady interest in a film that balances comedy with tough real life issues.

Critics praised the balance of humor and heart, and Bullock's restrained performance anchors the movie as it treats addiction and sobriety with candor. The themes center on accountability, friendship, and the imperfect path toward change, with a relief at seeing personal progress amid setbacks.

Among early 2000s dramedies that blend laughs with serious life crises, 28 Days helped normalize rehab as a believable setting for character growth and sparked ongoing conversations about recovery in mainstream cinema, influencing how later films approach therapy, relapse, and support networks.