This article was published more than1 year ago, Anyone who saw the movie Beautiful Boy the fact-based 2018 addiction drama starring Steve Carell and Timothe Chalamet as a father and son struggling with the younger mans drug dependency will already be familiar with the narrative rhythms of the similarly themed Four Good Days. Much like Felix Van Groeningens movie, based on dueling addiction memoirs by Nic Sheff and his father, journalist David Sheff, Four Good Days tells a lightly fictionalized version of a harrowing true story, first presented by Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow in his powerful 2016 article about a Michigan mothers efforts to help her adult daughter kick heroin. A Story of Truth, Lies and an American Addiction" Fukushima 50 (2020) - Japanese drama film based on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster which was caused by the 2011 Thoku earthquake and tsunami Four Good Days is about a young woman who is battling a heroin addiction. Were seeing some changes now and I think part of that is because we talk about addiction as the real medical problem that it is rather than as a personal weakness or a societal ill. (Video: Washington Post Live). Saslows story captured that rawness and power. R.At area theaters. Philip K. Dick & Hollywood: The Essential Movie Adaptations, The Most Obscure and Underrated Slasher Movies of the 1980s, Ten Underrated Movies From 1988 That Deserve More Love, Gun Honey spinoff Heat Seeker announced by Hard Case Crime and Titan, Action thriller The Siege gets a trailer, poster and images, Director Peyton Reed on needing to go smaller for Ant-Man 4. 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. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, Reese Witherspoon Reveals What Mila Kunis Said About Her Photos With Ashton Kutcher on 'The Drew Barrymore Show': "You Guys Look so Awkward", Stream It Or Skip It: 'That '90s Show' On Netflix, Where A New Generation Of Teens Get Stoned In Kitty And Red's Basement, 'That '90s Show' Reveals What Happened To The Ill-Fated Jackie-Fez Romance, Where to Stream That '70s Show Before Watching That '90s Show on Netflix, Will There Be A 'Sex/Life' Season 3 on Netflix? The lead comment from Rotten Tomatoes Top Critics, by Indiewires Ryan Lattanzio, laments the fact that the film did not sufficiently vilify Mollys mother: Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this shallow movie is left unexplored: why doesnt Deb look in the mirror at her role in Mollys addiction?. And while hers is one of the few stories that received much attention, there are many people out there who are going through a similar situation. You can start a new subscription or pay for a current one by calling our circulation number at 770-253-1576. Four Good Daysis about a young woman who is battling a heroin addiction. The trauma and pain infiltrate filial life and create deep wedges in the mind of the addicts and the people near them. Movie titles, images, etc. A Story of Truth, Lies, and an American Addiction. 'How's Amanda?' A story of truth, lies and an American addiction Four Good Days. Clintonites Still Aren't Sending Much Cash to Obama. Four Good Days grapples constantly with the question of responsibility. Director Garca might be going for the same tone that James L. Brooks achieved in Endearment, but, at this point, such a hospital outburst seems tired and even a little insensitive. Despite all she has learned over a decade of disappointment, grief and rage, Deb throws herself into one last attempt to save her beloved daughter from the deadly and merciless grip of heroin addiction. This article was published more than1 year ago. By Eli Saslow, The Washington Post. It was released in a limited release on April 30, 2021, followed by video on demand on May 21, 2021, by Vertical Entertainment. Such a burden exacts a staggering emotional toll. A Story of Truth, Lies, and an American Addiction, that appeared in the Washington Post on July 23, 2016. 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 Good Days - Rotten Tomatoes Supporting her in this journey is herestranged mother, played by Glenn Close. Ask Amy: I wanted flowers after my miscarriage. In an emotional journey based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, 31-year-old Molly begs her estranged mother Deb for help fighting a fierce battle against the demons that have derailed her life. The audience eventually comes to learn that Deb, who found herself in an unhappy marriage, left the family when Molly was in high school. However, it has considerable side effects if opiates are still present in the body. 'Next In Fashion' Season 2 on Netflix: Follow the Designers on Instagram, Vanderpump Rules: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Break Up After He Reportedly Cheated With Raquel Leviss. Mila Kunis, Actor, Four Good Days, Rodrigo Garca, Director, Four Good Days and Eli Saslow, National Reporter, The Washington Post join Washington Post Live (Video: The Washington Post), I had maybe eight-months to lose weight to look like a heroin addict. If you did not receive your newspaper on Thursday and Monday after your mail is delivered, we will issue a credit to your account or mail another copy. What if more counseling had been available at school? These lead to another 4,105 emergency-room visits and another 79 people dead, every day. ), Why Beautiful Boy director Felix Van Groeningen is fascinated by the fragility of families. Close is at her best when Deb is struggling to feel normal during a quick catch-up lunch at a diner, for instance, with her good daughter (Carla Gallo) as Deb suddenly realizes that shes forgotten her wallet at home. 'Four Good Days' follows Molly, a heroin addict trying to cleanse herself from the vices. The new trailer features a very emotional performance from theBlack Swanactress as she fights against withdrawal symptoms and comes face to face with all the things that her addiction has taken from her, including the trust of her parents and custody of her children. The icy greeting, of course, is only a facade. The article was adapted into a screenplay by director Rodrigo Garcia and Eli Saslow. Jessica wrote on Instagram of Mila's involvement in the project, "This has been six years of relentless rewriting, rejections, studio changes, and torturous stretches of stagnation. I just cant. Facebook Twitter Flipboard Reddit Pinterest . Kunis holds her own with the multiple-nominated icon, but the dialogue is hard to sell. At the 94th Academy Awards, the film's lead single "Somehow You Do" was nominated for Best Original Song. While personal decisions certainly can make a difference in immediate outcomes, none of the enormous problems involved in the opioid epidemic can be solved on an individual basis. In a particularly emotional scene, Molly explains to her mother, I thought you couldnt stand to be around us, around me, referring to how her mothers departure affected her. Watch offline. Its a dubious distinction that she shares with another iconic talent, the late Peter OToole. However, circumstances complicate the road to recovery with every passing moment. Because I was like Intentionally, I want roots, and I want it to look like she went like this with some green dye. And they were like I dont understand. When that was all done and I looked myself in the mirror, I was genuinely like Oh, I can do it now. So, for me, above all else, was having this visual, I mean I looked sickly, right, like I looked unhealthy already due to my weight loss, and then on top of it I just didnt look like myself with bleached yellow hair with dark black roots. (Video: Washington Post Live), The co-screenwriter said the shift in thinking has started after 20 years of seeing addiction as a personal weakness. Garcia noted that problems with no solutions hold a fascination for him. Saslow's story captured that rawness and power. The real-life problems showcased in the film caught our attention, and we decided to look through the origins of the story. "[12] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 53 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Directed by Rodrigo Garca; screenplay by Garca and Eli Saslow. Watch all you want. Die Hard on a Shoestring: The Low Budget Die Hard Clones, Bad Video Game Movies You Probably Forgot Existed. A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to . Four Good Days is a searing drama that deals with the problems plaguing society due to substance abuse. Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games. Check out the trailer forFour Good Daysabove. Co-written and directed by Rodrigo Garca, Four Good Days is based on a true story written for the Washington Post by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eli Saslow. Please feel free to send any feedback on our new site to support@newnan.com. JOIN NOW. Shes got four more days to go. Four Good Days "Four Good Days," starring Mila Kunis and Glenn Close and is based on the reporting of Washington Post national reporter Eli Saslow, tells the story of a young addict who must not use drugs for four days to receive a promising treatment. However, the films perceptive and frank treatment of addicts and their loved ones is certainly worth commending. Announcement, Wedding That is, in order to qualify, Molly has to stay sober for another four days. Her story was first told by Eli Saslow in a Washington Postpiece headlined Hows Amanda? 1,000, This story has been shared 974 times. Three Great Things: Eli Saslow - Talkhouse Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist , hardcover , at the best online prices at eBay! Genres. And theres one in particular, and I looked at this girl, and I was like I want this hair, and they were like, Okay so lets get you a wig, and I was like No, I think Im going to go and bleach my hair. The Other Fellow: What if your name was Bond, James Bond? Molly no longer has custody. Washington Post - Mila Kunis, Rodrigo Garcia & Eli Saslow, "Four Good Days" Essential reporting and analysis from correspondents around the world. Molly speaks to Coach Miller's class on her third day at home. One familiar sequence takes place in a hospital emergency room. She said that the feelings of being a mother and the desire for the safety of a child became the most important aspect of her understanding. Filed Under: Flickering Myth TV, Interviews, Martin Carr, Movies Tagged With: Eli Saslow, Four Good Days, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis. There, Deb has a chance encounter with Molly's ex-boyfriend Eric, who inadvertently reveals that Molly had been pregnant. The Mandalorian: Who Saved Grogu from Order 66? Afterwards, Molly asks that Deb take her to see Sammy, a friend and fellow addict. Her addiction, like so many, spiraled into heroin. 1,241, This story has been shared 1,100 times. If the movie based on it isnt quite so visceral as the true story was transplanted here from Detroit to the California desert, it feels a bit prettified Four Good Days is nevertheless effective. The ebb and flow of the new film arent new or, sadly, even uncommon. What if Deb had remained in her unhappy marriage? In an emotional journey based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, 31-year-old Molly begs her estranged mother Deb for help fighting a fierce battle. A monthly shot of a drug called naltrexone renders the effects of the opiates useless, as it blocks its effects. 1,244, This story has been shared 1,241 times. Human beings undergo particular experiences and have different physical and psychological susceptibilities. The central tension of the story concerns Molly, who, after fourteen unsuccessful rehab admissions, turns to her mother for help. However, as helpless and isolated as the charactersor, rather, the real human beings they are meant to representmay feel, they are certainly not alone. Vertical Entertainment/Tribune News Service. Four Good Days (2020) - drama film based upon Eli Saslow's 2016 Washington Post article "How's Amanda? <em>Four Good Days</em>: A drama of the opioid epidemic [3] It stars Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Stephen Root. View Print Edition (Teacher Saslow co-wrote the movie's screenplay with director Rodrigo Garca. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. Parents need to know that Four Good Days is a wrenching drama about a woman ( Mila Kunis) who asks her mother ( Glenn Close) to help her, not for the first time, go through drug detox and recovery. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film review aggregator, it holds an approval rating of just 51 percent based on 74 Top Critics. A New York Post reviewer terms the story well worn, while another from the Tribune News complains that the films ending offered more questions than answers. Eli Saslow is known for Four Good Days (2020), Colossus (2018) and The Daily Show (1996). Last month it was announced that the actressis slated to star in Netflix's adaptation ofLuckiest Girl Alive, which she is also set to produce. More details. Four Good Days is set for a theatrical release on April 30th, followed by a VOD release on May 21st. Theres just no life to the arguments that Deb and Molly have in this film. Review: Addiction drama 'Four Good Days' turns away from the ugliness 4,441, This story has been shared 3,922 times. You can report it by calling our circulation number at 770-253-1576 or emailing stacie@newnan.com. While the story of an ordinary girl, in an ordinary family setting, caught up in the throes of addiction may bore the critics, it has met with a significantly warmer response from viewers. It has a been there, seen and heard that quality. She shows up at her ex-husbands to berate him for not phoning Molly. [3] It stars Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Stephen Root . . 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. 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. On the doorstep, a ragged-looking Molly begs for a place to stay while she detoxes from heroin. Close, inhabiting the guilt-ridden mother, repeatedly demands, loudly and unpleasantly, that a doctor immediately see her daughter. The upcoming film is inspired by Hows Amanda, a 2016 article about Amanda Wendler, a woman struggling to maintain her sobriety. See Mila Kunis' Major Transformation in Four Good Days Trailer [8][9], It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020. International Committee of the Fourth International, The US opioid crisis in the era of COVID-19, US drug overdose deaths soared to record highs in 2019. 99 minutes. Tens of millions more suffer from the scourge as family members and friends. Hows Amanda? What sets Four Good Days apart from the many other films of its ilk are Close and Kunis, who sharpen and elevate its well-worn contours with vivid performances that are honest and grounded. Is 'Four Good Days' a true story? Know more about the Mila Kunis Four Good Days is based on Eli Saslow's Washington Post article "'How's Amanda?' A story of truth, lies and an American addiction," which chronicled a woman named Amanda Wendler 's experience with . Give her the shot! is still ringing in my ears. . Movie review: 'Four Good Days' is a portrait of addiction Back at home, Deb reveals 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 this led to her walking out on the family. Episode 14 Escaping Extremism - The Detour /// XRAY.fm 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. "You wouldn't treat somebody with diabetes like this," she. One scene will remind you of her turn in last years Hillbilly Elegy. And thats not a good thing. But her instincts get the better of her judgment as she tries to rebuild their trust. These are characters you can connect to, on both sides of the equation. A Story of Truth, Lies, and an American Addiction, the feature comes from Eli Saslow, a Pulitzer-Prize winning writer and Washington Post reporter who also helped write the screenplay for Four Good Days. Root is very good as Debs second husband, and he has one of the films best scenes, uncomfortably mansplaining Debs inner torment. Amanda had to stay clean for two weeks and pass a drug test before this would happen. "Four Good Days" is based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow. However, she felt that it was a part of her responsibility as a mother to be there for her daughter. Ranging from racism to addiction and poverty, the authors oeuvre uncovers the deep impacts of these socio-political issues that leave a deep scar on the collective consciousness. Moreover, Saslows works revolve around human stories featuring divisive issues of society. Great numbers of people will make an emotional connection to one or another character in the film, who are all profoundly influenced by Mollys addiction. Its narrow focus is a limitation. Join Kunis, director Rodrigo Garca, and co-screenwriter and Pulitzer Prize-winning Saslow, for a conversation about the trauma of addiction and bringing this true story to life on the big screen.
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