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Four Good Days

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Four Good Days
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRodrigo García
Screenplay byRodrigo García
Eli Saslow
Based on"How's Amanda? A Story of Truth, Lies and an American Addiction"
by Eli Saslow
Produced by
  • Rodrigo García
  • Jon Avnet
  • Jake Avnet
  • Marina Grasic
  • Jai Khanna
Starring
CinematographyIgor Jadue-Lillo
Edited byLauren Connelly
Music byEdward Shearmur
Production
companies
  • Indigenous Media
  • Oakhurst Entertainment
  • Productivity Media
Distributed byVertical Entertainment
Release dates
  • January 25, 2020 (2020-01-25) (Sundance)
  • April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30) (United States)
Running time
100 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$843,965[2]

Four Good Days is a 2020 American drama film, directed and produced by Rodrigo García, from a screenplay by García and Eli Saslow, based upon Saslow's 2016 Washington Post article "How's Amanda? A Story of Truth, Lies and an American Addiction".[3] It stars Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Stephen Root.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020. It was released in a limited release on April 30, 2021, followed by video on demand on May 21, 2021, by Vertical Entertainment. At the 94th Academy Awards, the film's lead single "Somehow You Do" was nominated for Best Original Song.

Plot

A year after last seeing her, 31-year-old drug addict Margaret "Molly" Wheeler walks to her mother Deb's house remembering times before her fall. She insists that she is ready to be sober and begs her mother to allow her to stay for a few days before going to detox. Deb, although clearly ambivalent about the matter, stands resilient with the support of her husband Chris, fearing that supporting Molly in any way will serve as an enabler. Molly spends the night outside her mother's house and is persistent about her recovery. The next morning a frustrated Deb agrees to take Molly to detox. Upon arrival, it is revealed that Molly has been an addict for over a decade, has lost custody of her children, and is on her 15th attempt at sobriety. Four days after commencing detox, she is offered an opioid antagonist in order to help her on the road to sobriety. However, she must stay off any drugs for an additional four days before it is safe for her to receive the first shot, and then expect an additional shot each month.

On her first day at home, Molly discovers through Deb, many of her misdeeds during her time as an addict, of which Molly clearly regrets. Although at home, Deb remains suspicious of Molly's intentions, but by the end of the day, secretly begins to have hope.

On the second day, Sean, Molly's ex and her children's father, allows her to see them. Although at first reluctant, they are happy to see her and make the most of their time together. She and Deb go grocery shopping, where they see Coach Miller, who invites Molly to speak to her class on drug addiction. Back at home Deb reveals that she was very unhappy with Molly's father Dale, as she felt forced into marriage after becoming pregnant with Molly's older sister Ashley, and thus walking out on the family. Her abandonment is something Molly has always held against Deb, attributing it to her having become an addict. Deb dismisses this, admitting that Dale's implied mental and emotional abuse as the reason for her leaving, much to Molly's surprise.

Molly speaks to Coach Miller's class on the third day home. While speaking to the class, she releases her emotions, is blatant and transparent to the children about her situation and experiences, using the moment to vent. This causes Deb to openly express her optimism and hopes that this time, Molly will finally recover. After, Molly asks that Deb take her to see Sammy, a friend and fellow addict. There, Deb has a chance encounter with Molly's ex-boyfriend Eric, who inadvertently reveals that Molly had been pregnant. Molly later confesses to Deb that she was pregnant, but gave the baby up for adoption. That evening Molly receives a phone call from the detox center seemingly stating that due to issues with her insurance, she cannot get the shot until Monday, adding an additional three days to her wait and thus the fight against her urges. A suspicious Deb questions the call, they argue, and Molly leaves with Sean.

The additional days become excruciating for Deb as she attempts to contact Molly incessantly to no avail. On Monday morning, Molly arrives at the house urging Deb to get ready so they will not miss her appointment at the detox facility. However, before they leave Molly asks Deb for her urine, confirming Deb's suspicions. Molly further admits that she has relapsed. Despite this, she is adamant that she does wish to get sober, and Deb provides her urine. At the center Molly receives the opioid antagonist shot, but due to her having drugs in her system, she goes into acute withdrawal, and they rush to the hospital.

Four months later, Molly is still living with Deb, visits her children regularly, is getting ready for her next shot, and is on her way to recovery. The film ends with a line about the real life mother and daughter inspirations for the film, Amanda Wendler (Molly) and Libby Alexander (Deb).

Cast

Production

It was announced in May 2019 that Glenn Close and Mila Kunis were set to star in the film.[4] Stephen Root was cast in September, with filming beginning later that month in Los Angeles.[5] In October 2019, Chad Lindberg, Rebecca Field, Joshua Leonard, Michael Hyatt and Sam Hennings joined the cast of the film.[6]

Music

On April 23, 2021, "Somehow You Do", the lead single from the movie's soundtrack, was released. The song was written by Diane Warren and performed by country star Reba McEntire, who noted on her Instagram that she was "so proud to be associated with these three very powerful women", referencing Warren, Close and Kunis.[7] "Somehow You Do" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.[8][9]

Release

It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020.[10] In March 2021, Vertical Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, and set it for an April 30, 2021, limited release prior to a May 21, 2021, video on demand release.[11]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 55% based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 5.70/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Four Good Days struggles to bring authenticity to its tragic source material and strands its talent in a bland melodrama."[12] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 53 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]

References

  1. ^ "Four Good Days". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "Four Good Days". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Saslow, Eli (July 23, 2016). "How's Amanda? A Story of Truth, Lies and an American Addiction". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 16, 2019). "Glenn Close & Mila Kunis To Star In Drama 'Four Good Days', Capstone Launches Sales — Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 27, 2019). "'Barry' Star Stephen Root Joins Glenn Close & Mila Kunis In Rodrigo Garcia's 'Four Good Days'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 24, 2019). "'Four Good Days': Rodrigo Garcia Drama Starring Glenn Close & Mila Kunis Adds Supporting Cast, Rolls In LA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "Reba McEntire is dropping "Somehow You Do," her theme song from the 'Four Good Days' soundtrack". wincountry.com. April 22, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 8, 2022). "Diane Warren Lands 13th Oscar Nomination For 'Four Good Days' Song "Somehow You Do"ˇ". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "2022 | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". www.oscars.org. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  10. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (December 4, 2019). "Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem, Abortion Road Trip Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  11. ^ Hipes, Patrick (March 12, 2021). "Four Good Days', Starring Glenn Close And Mila Kunis, Acquired By Vertical For U.S. Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Four Good Days (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  13. ^ "Four Good Days Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
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