Even Bullock can't save "Premonition"

My intuition tells me those who see director Mennan Yapo's "Premonition" will be disappointed. Of course, I don't have ESP - but I know I left the theatre dissatisfied.

Sandra Bullock is the highlight of this film with an intense performance as Linda, a stay-at-home mom who is horrified to learn of her husband Jim's (Julian McMahon) death - and even more disturbed to realize he's alive again when she wakes up the next day.

Reality begins quickly unraveling around Linda as she spends each out-of-order day (because apparently Friday does not always directly follow Thursday, at least in this film) trying to figure out if her husband is dead or alive, if she is crazy or sane, and why she's constantly interacting with people who claim to know her even though she doesn't remember meeting them.

Her mother, Joanne (played dryly by Kate Nelligan), comes to stay and help take care of Linda's absolutely adorable and sugary-sweet daughters (Shyann McClure and Courtney Taylor Burness) - either because Linda's grieving or going insane, we can never be sure. But, in true meddling-mother form, Joanne seeks "help" for her daughter in the form of creepy psychiatrist Dr. Norman Roth (Peter Stormare) and his prescription pad.

Linda tries to seek comfort from her flighty friend, Annie (Nia Long), whose real purpose in the film seems to be the token minority. Linda also seeks answers from a priest (Matt Moore) who tells her "nature abhors a vacuum" and her lack of belief is the root of her troubles.

Reminiscent of a more depressing "Groundhog Day," "Premonition" offers nothing new or innovative. It's too sappy, too predictable and - despite a decent premise - fails to do any of the interesting things writer Bill Kelly could have done with the script.

McMahon seems ridiculously miscast after his roles in "Fantastic Four" and the television series "Nip/Tuck" and "Charmed." He's not believable as a distant husband climbing the corporate ladder. Perhaps he's too accustomed to playing complicated characters to realize sometimes less is more when playing a fairly basic, straightforward character.

The musical effects by Klaus Badelt, meant to heighten suspense, are so over-the-top they're nearly comical. The ending is hokey at best - I groaned out loud and heard several others in the audience do the same.

Skip "Premonition" - you'll avoid spending time and money on an inferior film.

Originally published in The Chronicle in March 2007 as JadeLee Culberson.