Inspired by a true story, Four Good Days is a painfully accurate depiction of the real-life struggles of heroin addiction. Four Good Days (clean) is what Molly, played by Mila Kunis, needs in order to qualify for a much-needed opiate-antagonist shot that will keep her body from responding to heroin for 30 days. Her mother, Deb, played by Glenn Close, is reluctantly there to support her yet again after enduring over a decade of many (many) failed attempts.
Our story begins as Molly shows up at her mother’s front door seeking a safe place to detox. Molly (Kunis) is barely recognizable with her scabbed-over skin, sunken eyes, frail body frame, and straggly box-colored bleached blonde and very matted hair. Deb (Close) is pained by this unexpected guest. We watch her dig deep inside of herself for the willpower to not let her daughter.
Will she? Won’t she? Will she? Won’t she?
Relenting, Deb can’t help herself but to help her daughter just one more time by driving her to a detox center. The goal was to get Molly a bed to detox safely for three days. This would be the 14th time Deb had made this drive with Molly. After 72 grueling hours of detox, Molly needs to find a safe place to wait out four more days until she can get her first shot of naltrexone. As suggested by her physician, this will prevent opiates from delivering a high and (in theory) make it easier to get clean. If Molly can just get the shot, then maybe, just maybe she has a chance at getting 30 days of clean time under her belt.
Four (not really so good) days
Over the next four days, the tension between this mother daughter duo never subsides. Different story lines are twisted in with Molly’s kids, ex, and various friends of her past. Watching the film with my own mother, at one point I paused the film. I asked my mom if she ever wished she could stop loving me when I was in the throes of my own addiction. This question was provoked by watching the pain and agony Deb was reeling in. My mom told me that thought had never occurred to her. That she had always remained hopeful I could and would change.
This is not a feel-good movie by any means. The acting of these two leading ladies is reason enough to support this film. While I have come to expect Close to deliver an award-winning performance with any character she takes on, it’s Kunis who really steals the show for me. Not only did she physically prepare for this role, but it’s clear she is mentally and emotionally invested in her character of Molly as well. That said, the storyline itself could have been much stronger. There’s a reason Rotten Tomatoes only gives it 51%. and IMDB gives it a 5.5/10.
Breaking Stigma’s
Perhaps the best aspect of this film is that it shows how addiction truly does affect the entire family, not just the addict. While this movie won’t be up for any award-winning nominations, it’s still an important film and story to tell. The more stories that are told showing what it was like, what happened, and what it’s like now can only continue to help break down the stigma that has surrounded addiction for centuries.
The Sobees Movie Score: 4 out of 5
MOVIE NIGHT with The Sober Curator: Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night! Since you’re not binging on alcohol and drugs anymore, you’re going to need other activities to fill your time. Especially considering we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Get your binge on with movies and TV series that The Sober Curator recommends. Pop the popcorn, grab your fav alcohol-free beer or make your favorite mocktail, dish out your favorite treats and sweets, and settle in for some good old-fashioned cinema entertainment.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
