CULTURE
By Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP
Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP
FAVORITE SUMMER
FILMS
The Way Way Back (2013) Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Troop Zero (2019) Do the Right Thing (1989) Independence Day (1996)
?
WANT MORE? Visit our website: StAnthonyMessenger.org
O
ne day, Molly (Mila Kunis) knocks at the door of her mother, Deb (Glenn Close), and stepfather Chris (Stephen Root). She is in the midst of withdrawal from heroin— again. Deb refuses to let her in because she has stolen and lied so often over the years. She has been to rehab 14 times since she became addicted to oxycontin, following an accident when she was 17. But Deb relents and takes her to rehab where, after three days, the doctor tells her about a monthly treatment called an opiate antagonist that will render her brain and body immune to getting high. It is not a cure-all but could be part of the road to sobriety. But Molly must be clean for a week or the treatment could kill her. Deb—with love, hope, and some distrust—agrees to let her daughter stay with her and Chris so she can have four good days and then begin treatment. But she tells Chris, who has been through this many times before, that she doesn’t know if she even wants to love her daughter anymore. During the four days, Molly gets to see her two children and her ex-husband, who asks her for painkillers. Deb, who left the family when Molly was young over issues with her former husband, feels guilty about her role in her daughter’s addiction. She lashes out at Chris, who is tired of the dysfunctional dynamic that appears every time Molly shows
42 • June/July 2021 | StAnthonyMessenger.org
up. To his credit, he remains supportive. As the fourth day looms, Molly manipulates and convinces Deb to take a risk that could bring everything crashing down again. Four Good Days, written by Eli Saslow, is adapted from his 2016 Washington Post article, “How’s Amanda?” The interactions between Deb and Molly are gritty, raw, and heartbreaking. Close, once again, delivers an award-worthy performance, and Kunis is outstanding as the junkie lying her way to another chance at health and healing. Rodrigo García directs in a way that breaks your heart but gives hope as well. The film is for addicts and those who love them. Not yet rated, R • Drug use, family dysfunction, lying, graphic withdrawal scenes.
WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT: WARNER/FRÉDÉRIC BATIER, SOMMERHAUS; THE PERFECT CANDIDATE: COURTESY OF MUSIC BOX FILMS
Sister Rose’s
FOUR GOOD DAYS
LEFT: COURTESY SISTER ROSE PACATTE, FSP/MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS; FOUR GOOD DAYS: INDIGENOUS MEDIA
Sister Rose is a Daughter of St. Paul and the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies. She has been the award-winning film columnist for St. Anthony Messenger since 2003 and is the author of several books on Scripture and film, as well as media literacy education.
