[2] Some of the meeting's attendees include Becky (Faye Dunaway), a mother who worries about the effect of her drinking on her teenage son; Rachel (Dianne Wiest), a doctor who worries that she is replacing her alcohol and pill addiction with workaholism; Louis (Spalding Gray), a man who claims he came to the AA meeting in error, thinking it was choir practice; Shelly (Amanda Plummer), a neurotic woman dealing with a domineering mother; Debbie (Parker Posey), a party girl who idolizes Janis Joplin and has replaced her alcoholism with an addiction to football; Marty (George Martin), a clergyman and the meeting's chairperson; Joseph (Howard Rollins), a man who lost his marriage and nearly lost his son due to a drunk driving crash; Brenda (LisaGay Hamilton), an HIV-positive former heroin addict.

"[3] Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote: "Although Drunks...has its moments of staginess, the actors' understated characterizations go a long way toward keeping the movie from turning into a series of speeches.

Mr. Lewis is especially impressive in the way he takes a role that many actors would be tempted to shout to the rafters and lets his panicky wide eyes convey the character's desperation."

Susan Kirr of the Austin American-Statesman wrote: "While the monologues (many of them improvised and shot in one long take) are often pointed and touching, others fall flat, showing the mechanism unfolding clumsily.

"[2] Kevin Thomas of The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Allowing for a certain theatricality, Drunks is totally persuasive in its account of recovering alcoholics helping one another in a painful and often desperate struggle for sobriety.

Although Drunks is an ensemble endeavor sprinkled with distinguished names, comedian Richard Lewis, in his first leading dramatic role, is undeniably its star and a commanding one at that.