Bad Wigs, False Teeth: FOUR GOOD DAYS

Whenever I see a story about a parent desperately trying to save their child from the clutches of addiction, I think about that short arcing storyline, it may have only been one episode, on Knots Landing when Abby (Donna Mills) daughter Olivia (Tonya Crowe) becomes a junkie and Abby goes berserk. Her life just stops while she locks herself and Olivia in the house for like two weeks, determined to break her daughter’s will and want to get high. It was so unlike Abby, who was never thought to be maternal.  Her character was always wheeling and dealing and seducing. But during this brief time she didn’t wear makeup and was so super serious. I’ve never gotten to see those/that episode again, but the intensity of the writing and acting depicting a mother’s love has always stuck with me.

Four Good Days based on a 2016 Washington Post article by Eli Saslow, who co-wrote the screenplay with the director, Rodrigo García (Albert Nobbs) starts with Deb (Glenn Close) hearing something outside her middle class suburban home. It turns out to be Molly (Mila Kunis) her strung out, toothless daughter wanting to come inside to clean up and get clean.  If you didn’t know the premise of the film you’d think Deb was cruel to turn her obviously distraught and sickly daughter away.  But we know going in, this is a story about the “tough love” stage a parent must go through when they’ve tried absolutely everything to help a child with an addiction to the detriment of themselves and everyone around them. And now the only thing they can do is turn their back until that child truly wants to do the work to kick the habit. Deb’s husband, Molly’s stepfather (Stephen Root) is proud of her for staying strong. He says, I’m glad you’re not going to let her turn your life upside down again. To which Deb replies, don’t you mean our lives?  But it’s obvious he’s completely washed his hands of any obligation to Molly.  Unfortunately, the very next day Deb kinda crumbles.  She doesn’t allow Molly in the house but she does agree to take her to rehab for the 15th time!

The viewer is unsure of where Molly is in her want to recover.  We get clued in on how many lies she’s told in the past; how much stuff she’s stolen; the fact that she’s been living under a bridge while her ex-husband raises their children, it’s all a bad indication that this person may not be saveable and we may not care one way or the other.  But after detoxing Deb takes Molly to see a doctor who tells them of the drug naltrexone, which will prevent opiates from delivering a high, making it easier to get clean.  She just has to stay drug free 4 days before they can administer the first dose.  That’s 144 very long hours for this mother and daughter to have to get through.

I watched this the morning of the Oscars where Glenn Close was up for Best Actress for her role in Hillbilly Elegy, a movie I was never able to bring myself to watch, and which ironically also earned Close a Razzie. After watching Four Good Days I wondered if she’s just kinda living on her past glory? It’s a fine performance, but I don’t feel Close brings anything special to this mother’s anguish. There’s a dozen other actresses more age appropriate who could have done just as well or better. On the flip side, Kunis hasn’t been this good since Black Swan, her irritability despite knowing she’s the cause of her mother’s lack of trust is played well.  Along with her ability to start to understand the damage she’s done to her kids, sister and mother. Ultimately, its a story about a ride or die mother/daughter duo that keeps good pace and keeps your attention, but won’t stay with me for 35 years like Donna Mills.

T&T @LAMB rating: 2.5 outta 5

Not sure how many readers know about my deep, abiding love for Reba McEntire. Mid 90’s thru early 2000’s I had her music (and Wynonna Judd) on constant loop.  I still go back to my favorites when I need solace or just want to sing. I was surprised to see she recorded the Diane Warren written Song “Somehow You Do” for Four Good Days.