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Hollywood's favourite girl-next-door, Sandra Bullock, attempts to shed her trademark wholesomeness in "28 Days", a new film about alcohol addiction.

Sandra Bullock seems set to trail in the shadow of Julia Roberts forever. Julia did the Grisham thriller "The Pelican Brief". Sandra countered with Grisham's "A Time To Kill" and the hi-tech suspense of "The Net". Julia romanced ladies man Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman". Sandra wooed heart throb Ben Affleck in "Forces Of Nature".

The similarities are numerous.

It is fitting then that Bullock's latest cinematic venture, "28 Days", is written by Susannah Grant: the woman who penned the recent Roberts blockbuster, "Erin Brockovich". With "Brockovich", the script was transformed into a stylish, inspired tale helmed by maverick director Steven Soderbergh. "28 Days" is directed with a distinctly lighter touch by Betty Thomas ("Private Parts", "Renaissance Man").

Bullock plays Gwen Cummings, a Manhattan journalist and big-time party animal. Perky and intent on having fun, Gwen jols it up with British beau and fellow wildcat, Jasper (Dominic West - "A Midsummer Night's Dream"). But, after a bender at her sister Lily's (Elizabeth Perkins - "Indian Summer") wedding in which she crashes a limousine in a drunken stupor, Gwen is confined by a court ruling to Serenity Glen Rehabilitation Clinic for a period of 28 days.

It is here that the film dips into clichéd yet charming "One Flew Over The Cukoos Nest" territory. The fellow patients are an assortment of quirky individuals, all trying to kick some or other addiction. One character who is a doctor periodically pumped his own stomach after going on benders and wound up having to give himself an emergency tracheotomy.

The inevitable romantic angle is personified by the presence of Eddie Boone (Viggo Mortensen - "GI Jane"), a baseball celebrity with a substance abuse problem. But the film focuses on Gwen's and Eddie's need to rely on one another during their long journey towards sobriety, and cleverly avoids revelling in soppy lovey-dovey sentimentality.

The highlight of the film is the marvellous Steve Buscemi ("Fargo", "Armageddon") who plays the clinic's rehab counsellor, Cornell. Buscemi is sometimes pigeon-holed as comic relief, but here he plays his role straight and provides the film with a centre of strength and compassion.

Despite her attempts, though, Bullock fails to shed her squeaky-clean image. Although, she manages to hint at the fact that there is something darker hiding behind her beautiful big, brown eyes and sparkling smile.