Celebrity with Class: Sandra Bullock vs. Britney Spears

The film 28 DAYS demands the near impossible of its star. Bullock appears at her most vulnerable-as an alcoholic on her way to recovery. Yet her character, Gwen Cummings, never acts like Britney Spears. On her website, that performer claims that "the media has really printed a skewed perception of who I really am as a human being." Of course, an artist really helps the media keep its perceptions straight when she keeps her legs down.

This movie offers practical pointers for those attempting to recover their careers and rebuild their lives.

1. "The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over, expecting different results."

2. "Get a pet and a plant. If, in a year, they're alive, you're ready for a relationship."

3. "Confront me if I don't ask for help."

4. "Those are just things you've done, not who you are."

5. "Keep your eye on the little things. The rest will take care of itself."

Released in 2000, this PG-13 movie allows an ensemble cast to strut its stuff. Director Betty Thomas captures the ambiguity of lives caught between past and future. Susanah Grant's script proves more than worth quoting-both to alcoholics and people who just go berserk. As the self-destructive Andrea, Azura Skye perfects the innocence of her name. As the professional athlete Eddie, Viggo Mortensen makes the audience yearn to see him head for the World Series. Dominic West also demonstrates that even a sophisticated significant other may never "get it": 28 successful days in rehab cannot conclude with a champagne party.

A lengthy interview with the star, on Chris Famous Sandra Bullock Page, explains the lady's determination to keep her private life out of the public eye. First, she admits she was "absolutely boy crazy." Second, she foregoes attacking the press. Instead, she says: "Yeah, I'm sure, when I'm in the restaurant in the toilet stall and somebody slides a camera underneath, that's when I go, I really wish my picture wasn't that important." Third, she relishes her work and focuses on it, rather than herself. Her comments here on TWO WEEK NOTICE reveal a genuine joi de vivre: "There's just a lot of laughing and a lot of like-a lot of ribbing and a lot of joke playing, and it was usually on me."

Of course, it takes more than self-deprecating humor to master the art of comedy, but it's a critical qualification. At the conclusion of the interview, the actress's generosity prompts the Host Susan to praise Bullock with this tribute: "Thanks for being a class act." Johnny Carson received similar sentiments from both coworkers and audiences. Doesn't Britney Spears really need to work on her sense of humor?