The premise of “Sweet Dreams” may seem like another wacky comedy, but it is a surprisingly sincere story that delves into the serious side of addiction recovery. It’s an unusual mix of a standard drama and an inspirational sports film, which makes writer / director Lije Sarki’s project feel highly personal yet also forgettable. Its niche audience among those familiar with substance abuse and rehabilitation will be the most likely to find it satisfying.
After a night of debauchery that finally goes too far, Morris (Johnny Knoxville) is forced into a rehab stint at the Sweet Dreams residential recovery center. At first he struggles with accepting the mess he’s made of his life and family, but he soon develops a kinship with the fellow residents (Gata, Theo Von, Bobby Lee). When the guys find out the house is soon going up for auction, Morris steps up and agrees to coach their misfit softball team in an attempt to win the cash to save their communal home.
Known for building a career performing wacky and dangerous stunt comedy as a member of the “Jackass” team, Knoxville isn’t a great dramatic actor. It’s impressive that he’s branching out and attempting to stretch his acting chops, but he only reaches limited success. He’s a likable enough guy, and seeing him play it straight comes as a bit of a shock to the system. Still, there’s a genuine, earnest feeling to his performance, which really drives the themes of the movie home since they come from an actor who understands and has lived it (Knoxville himself has battled drug use).
The characters are flawed but relatable, all doing the best they can to turn their lives around. This is a story about second chances and healing, and it’s complete with every cliché in the book. At times, it even plays like a thank you letter to Alcoholics Anonymous. That’s why I’m unsure if this is a movie that can find success in the mainstream. It seems likely to be meaningful to people who’ve lived it in some form, be it experiencing addiction firsthand or having supported loved ones through recovery.
Ending on an encouraging note that radiates with hopefulness, “Sweet Dreams” is a pedestrian effort that isn’t going to speak to most people, but it’s a worthy companion to the cinematic canon of rehab films.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 