Greetings again from the darkness. Drug addiction provides bountiful harvesting for emotional message movies, though I'll admit to some difficulty in relating to the subject matter. Writer-director Rodrigo Garcia (ALBERT NOBBS, 2011) has worked with co-writer Eli Saslow to adapt Saslow's 2016 Washington Post article, "How's Amanda: A story of truth, lies and American Addiction". It's an all-too-common tale of how addiction ruins lives and tears families apart. If not for two strong lead performances, Garcia's latest movie would be just 'another log on the fire'.
The filmmaker has re-teamed with his ALBERT NOBBS star, Glenn Close, who plays Deb, mother to Molly (Mila Kunis), a 10 year drug addict who shows up at mom's house asking for help "getting clean". Of course, mom has heard this too many times over the years. See, Molly has not only stolen from her mother and lied to her frequently, but she's also been through detox/rehab 14 times over those 10 years. Deb initially refuses to let Molly in the house, but relents the next morning and drives her straight to the detox center. The doctor tells her she qualifies for a new magic shot that will block the drug cravings and effects if she can stay clean for four days (hence the film's title). Any drugs in the system will cause complications, and likely prove fatal.
So Deb babysits Molly, who we learn has two kids by her ex-husband, Sean (Joshua Leonard). Turns out, he's not such a great guy either. I'm certainly no expert, but it appears to me that Ms. Kunis goes all-in as an addict, replete with rotted teeth, damaged skin, and an attitude that warrants a swift kick. Ms. Kunis was excellent in BLACK SWAN (2010), but it seems she spends most of her time in comedies. She proves again that she has some dramatic chops, and hopefully will continue to pursue more serious roles. Ms. Close, who recently set the record for futility by becoming the first actor with 8 Oscar nominations and no wins, dons yet another terrible wig (ala HILLBILLY ELEGY, 2020) and works very hard to create a full-fledged mother from an underwritten character. The film briefly dabbles with the mother-daughter history of abandonment, but never digs deep enough for real meaning.
Stephen Root is given little to do as Deb's second husband, and Sam Hemmings has one good scene as Molly's dad who is confronted by Deb. Clichés abound in the story, yet the underlying message of a parent who refuses to give up on their kid, even when every time the result is disappointment, is grounded in reality. It's certainly no TRAINSPOTTING (1996) as far as depressing drug addiction stories, but the two leads make it watchable.
In theaters April 30, 2021.
The filmmaker has re-teamed with his ALBERT NOBBS star, Glenn Close, who plays Deb, mother to Molly (Mila Kunis), a 10 year drug addict who shows up at mom's house asking for help "getting clean". Of course, mom has heard this too many times over the years. See, Molly has not only stolen from her mother and lied to her frequently, but she's also been through detox/rehab 14 times over those 10 years. Deb initially refuses to let Molly in the house, but relents the next morning and drives her straight to the detox center. The doctor tells her she qualifies for a new magic shot that will block the drug cravings and effects if she can stay clean for four days (hence the film's title). Any drugs in the system will cause complications, and likely prove fatal.
So Deb babysits Molly, who we learn has two kids by her ex-husband, Sean (Joshua Leonard). Turns out, he's not such a great guy either. I'm certainly no expert, but it appears to me that Ms. Kunis goes all-in as an addict, replete with rotted teeth, damaged skin, and an attitude that warrants a swift kick. Ms. Kunis was excellent in BLACK SWAN (2010), but it seems she spends most of her time in comedies. She proves again that she has some dramatic chops, and hopefully will continue to pursue more serious roles. Ms. Close, who recently set the record for futility by becoming the first actor with 8 Oscar nominations and no wins, dons yet another terrible wig (ala HILLBILLY ELEGY, 2020) and works very hard to create a full-fledged mother from an underwritten character. The film briefly dabbles with the mother-daughter history of abandonment, but never digs deep enough for real meaning.
Stephen Root is given little to do as Deb's second husband, and Sam Hemmings has one good scene as Molly's dad who is confronted by Deb. Clichés abound in the story, yet the underlying message of a parent who refuses to give up on their kid, even when every time the result is disappointment, is grounded in reality. It's certainly no TRAINSPOTTING (1996) as far as depressing drug addiction stories, but the two leads make it watchable.
In theaters April 30, 2021.