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. If the movie based on it isn't quite so visceral as the true story was transplanted here from Detroit to the California desert, it feels a bit. Movie titles, images, etc. Before you watch Four Good Days, heres what you need to know about the true story behind the emotional drama. Saslows story captured that rawness and power. Joshua Leonard (see, among other things, The Blair Witch Project) plays Mollys ex-partner. 99 minutes. Mila Kunis, who plays the role of the daughter, worked her way through these details and explored the filial dynamics accentuated by the addiction. Four Good Days has largely been met with a collective yawn from the critics. Her story was first told by Eli Saslow in a Washington Postpiece headlined Hows Amanda? 3,922, This story has been shared 2,381 times. 2020 | Maturity rating: M | Independent Movies. The icy greeting, of course, is only a facade. While speaking to the class, she releases her emotions, is blatant and transparent with the children about her situation and experiences, using the moment to vent. His singular piece of narrative journalism on the escalating opioid epidemic in America inspired Four Good Days, a frequently harrowing dramatisation of addiction, experienced through the eyes of a mother and daughter. Human beings undergo particular experiences and have different physical and psychological susceptibilities. [6], On April 23, 2021, "Somehow You Do", the lead single from the movie's soundtrack, was released. [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. 751, This story has been shared 746 times. At the 94th Academy Awards, the film's lead single "Somehow You Do" was nominated for Best Original Song. The articles portrayal of the opioid epidemic and the details of a mother-daughter duo ensconced in its vagaries reflect the harsh reality. However, to permanently rid herself of this addiction, she tried to pursue a new treatment. The next morning a frustrated Deb agrees to take Molly to detox. Saslows article pinpoints some harsh truths 350 people start on heroin every day, with drug overdoses becoming the cause of deaths even worse in number than car crashes or suicides. These are characters you can connect to, on both sides of the equation. In fact, the entire article is centered around Amandas attempts at staying sober for four more days to receive the shot. 1,613, This story has been shared 1,541 times. His first book, Ten Letters, was published by Doubleday in 2011. Of interest will be the casting, which includes the ubiquitous Stephen Root in a completely straight-man role. Libby even attended anti-drug rallies and forced Amanda to take monthly drug tests. Save for a few emotional interactions, Four Good Days is a mechanical and processed depiction of the consequences of addiction. Dramas, Independent Movies. 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. She pauses before anxiously asking Molly, You think its my fault that you are an addict? Molly breaks eye contact with her mother, looks down and shakes her head, no. If you are looking for sympathy, you wont find any here, her mother insists. Follow this story and more by signing up for national breaking news email alerts. 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 June 21, 2016. Watch David Norths remarks commemorating 25 years of the World Socialist Web Site and donate today. Four Good Days leaves wider questions untouched. The feature also stars Stephen . Molly spends the night outside her mother's house and is persistent about her recovery. 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So far, there is no book thats directly related toFour Good Days. Four Good Daysis a story thats familiar to many Americans, with the opioid epidemic ripping across the country in the past decade. 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. Watch all you want. Is 'Yellowstone' On Tonight? 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 . Four Good Days is a 2020 American drama film, directed and produced by Rodrigo Garca, from a screenplay by Garca and Eli Saslow, based upon Saslow's 2016 Washington Post article "How's Amanda? But I cant apologize for trying to survive. Four Good Days is based on a 2016 Washington Post news story entitled Hows Amanda? written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eli Saslow. Best Picture Nominee Triangle of Sadness Is Now Streaming on Hulu, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Gulmohar' on Hulu, a Hindi Family-Ties Drama Marking the Return of Sharmila Tagore, Steven Spielberg Broke Down in Tears Seeing Paul Dano and Michelle Williams as His Parents in 'The Fabelmans', Is Brendan Frasers The Whale Based on a True Story? How Playwright Sam Hunter Processed His Own Trauma, Who Plays Kam Evans on 'Sex/Life' Season 2? Downloads only available on ad-free plans. However, the films perceptive and frank treatment of addicts and their loved ones is certainly worth commending. 'Four Good Days' follows Molly, a heroin addict trying to cleanse herself from the vices. Announcement, Wedding [4] Stephen Root was cast in September, with filming beginning later that month in Los Angeles. That evening, Molly receives a phone call from the detox center and learns that due to issues with her health insurance, she cannot get the shot until Monday, adding an additional three days to her wait and thus the fight against her urges. Pre-registration is required. Molly later confesses to Deb that she was pregnant, but gave the baby up for adoption. Her story was first told by Eli Saslow in a Washington Post piece headlined "How's Amanda? I just cant. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Four Good Days is set for a theatrical release on April 30th, followed by a VOD release on May 21st. [13], "How's Amanda? Glenn Close and Mila Kunis star in this drama, which is based on a 2016 Washington Post article by Eli Saslow. Lies, pleading, desperate promises and relapse are among the patterns of behavior on the part of Mila Kuniss addict Molly; with repeated capitulation, followed by zero tolerance, and then more capitulation on the part of Glenn Closes weary but still caring mother Deb. The film follows the emotional journey of 31-year-old Margaret Molly Wheeler (Mila Kunis). Free to attend. Triangle of Sadness Ending Explained: Does Abigail Kill Yaya? Four Good Days is based on Eli Saslow's 2016 Washington Post article How's Amanda?A Story of Truth, Lies and an American Addiction, the real-life story of Amanda Wendler and Libby Alexander.The movie follows the story of Deb played by Glenn Close as a mother whose trust has been destroyed by years of lying, stealing, and heartbreak from her drug addict daughter Molly, played by Mila Kunis, and . The Washington Post is providing this news free to all readers as a public service. Hes a member of the Atlanta Film Critics Circle, The Southeastern Film Critics Association, and the Georgia Film Critics Association. [3] It stars Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Stephen Root . 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. Such a burden exacts a staggering emotional toll. Once shes convinced that Molly is devoted to getting clean, Deb helps her abstain from heroin prior to receiving an injection that will prevent Molly from feeling the effects of illegal drugs. Post chief film critic Ann Hornaday will lead the discussion on Monday, May 24 at 5:00pm ET. Die Hard on a Shoestring: The Low Budget Die Hard Clones, Bad Video Game Movies You Probably Forgot Existed. Heres what we found out! It hurts where it should, yet lands with a touch of hope. Saslow has won numerous journalism awards, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for Explanatory Reporting. In the new film, Molly learns she must stay sober for four more days in order to be eligible to receive an opiate antagonist shot, which will stop her body from being able to get high and, hopefully, help her stay clean. Like the story that inspired it, this movie focuses on the uncertain relationship .