Four Good Days 2021

As 31-year-old Margaret “Molly” Wheeler (a name that evokes happier memories of her past) makes her way back to her childhood home, a wave of nostalgia washes over her. After a year apart, Molly returns with a resolute determination to overcome her addiction, pleading with her mother, Deb, to allow her to stay for a few days before beginning her detox journey. Despite her maternal instincts, Deb finds herself torn, ultimately deciding against enabling Molly’s destructive behaviors, standing firm with the support of her husband, Chris.

As darkness descends, Molly is left to spend another night outdoors, yet her persistence tugs at Deb’s heartstrings, leading her to agree to take Molly to detox the following morning. Unbeknownst to Deb, this journey will expose the depth of Molly’s struggles with addiction—over ten years marred by substance abuse, the loss of custody of her children, and a staggering fifteen attempts at sobriety. After four days of detox, a potential lifeline appears in the form of an opioid antagonist; however, it comes with a strict stipulation: Molly must remain clean for an additional four days to receive her first dose, followed by regular monthly injections.

As Molly reintegrates into her old life, she must confront the harsh realities of her addiction, catalyzed by Deb’s heartfelt revelations. These confessions recount Molly’s dark past, leaving her grappling with profound regret and shame. Surprisingly, as the day progresses, a sense of cautious optimism begins to bloom within Deb, allowing her to hope for her daughter’s recovery.

On the second day of Molly’s return, she gets a precious opportunity to spend time with her children, thanks to her ex, Sean]( /actor/joshua-leonard). While initially uncertain, they share an emotional reunion, savoring every moment together. During a grocery trip, Deb and Molly unexpectedly meet Coach Miller, who invites Molly to speak to his class about the harsh realities of drug addiction. In the privacy of their home, Deb opens the door to her own troubled past, discussing her coerced marriage to Molly’s father, Dale, after becoming pregnant with Molly’s older sister, Ashley. This shocking revelation forces Molly to reassess her beliefs about her mother’s motivations and struggles, challenging years of preconceived notions.

On Molly’s third day back, she faces the students in Coach Miller’s class, pouring out her truth with honesty and vulnerability. Her raw confessions ignite a flicker of hope in Deb, who believes that this could be the moment Molly breaks free from her cycle of suffering. Shortly thereafter, Molly requests to visit Sammy, a friend battling similar demons. On their way, they unexpectedly run into Molly’s ex-boyfriend, Eric, who inadvertently discloses a devastating secret: Molly had once been pregnant but made the heart-wrenching choice to give the child up for adoption. That evening, a phone call from the detox center shatters Molly’s hopes as she learns she must endure another three days of waiting for her much-needed shot, adding to her inner turmoil.

Tensions escalate as Deb grows increasingly wary of Molly’s behavior, leading to heated arguments that culminate in Molly leaving Sean’s residence, exacerbating Deb’s worries. The following days dissolve into a battle of wills, with Deb inundating Molly with calls, only to be met with silence.

Finally, on Monday morning, Molly returns to the home, urging Deb to get ready for their detox appointment. Before they depart, she asks Deb for her urine, a request that confirms the worst fears—the dreaded relapse. Yet, despite this setback, Molly asserts her determination to reclaim her sobriety, and Deb reluctantly complies. Arriving at the detox facility, Molly receives the opioid antagonist shot; however, the residual drugs in her system trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, necessitating an emergency visit to the hospital.

Fast forward four months, and a revitalized Molly is now living with Deb, regularly reconnecting with her children and gearing up for her next shot as she continues her challenging journey toward recovery. The film culminates in a heartfelt tribute to the real-life mother-daughter duo who inspired this touching narrative: Amanda Wendler (Molly) and Libby Alexander (Deb).