Four Days has Chief Miles O'Brian from Star Trek in it

Movies are generally supposed to suspend reality. Four Days leaves it dangling in an abyss of impossibilities and predictable clichés. Although containing a well-rounded and strong group of actors nothing could save this drivelled up plot.

The Kid (as Kevin Zegers is referred to in the film) is left literally holding the bag from his father’s bungled bank robbery. Unbeknownst to the Kid, his father Milt (William Forsythe) has been shot and killed. The Kid continues through with the plan to screw his father’s partner in crime Fury (played by Colm Meanly). On the way to the meeting place, the Kid hitches a ride with the beautiful Crystal (Lolita Davidovich). Crystal is over a decade older than the Kid. She is fleeing from her husband Gray (Patrick Goyette).

Meanwhile Fury hooks up with Feather whose name matches her looks and brains. Fury convinces Feather (Anne-Marie Cadieux) to come with him to find the Kid and tell him his father is dead. Fury’s motives for finding the Kid are greed and revenge.

Canadian born Zegers really sinks his teeth into the role of the Kid. This 14-year-old is a film veteran. It is almost unbelievable that Zegers has such depth and understanding of a character as serious as the Kid. It’s amazing when you consider the fact that his previous leading roles were in Air Bud (1997) and Air Bud 2 - Golden Receiver (1998) two fluffy Disney/Miramax movies.

Davidovich plays the very sexy Mrs. Robinson type extraordinarily well. In one of Davidovich’s earlier films, Blaze (1989), she caught attention for her remarkable performance as the flamboyant Blaze Starr. She brings the perfect amount of quirkiness to her out there character in Four Days.

The film’s highlight is the interaction between the Kid and Crystal. Most notable is the scene in which Crystal is talking on her cell phone with her irate husband. In the scene, she trashes a few of the tokens that belong to her husband, throwing them out the car while barrelling down the highway.

Meaney plays the bumbling and furious screwed over partner with flare. Through most of the movie you’re trying to put your finger on where you have seen him before. The answer is everywhere. Meaney’s body of work is vast. He is more than likely most recognizable for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chief Miles O’Brien.

Forsythe plays the emotionally closed Milt astoundingly. In many scenes Milt is left telling stories his father told him and he is now telling the Kid. This allows his character to develop and be understood even in death. The opening story that Milt tells when the film begins is not understood until the film comes full circle. As a first scene in a film this leaves a bad taste in your mouth as you wonder ‘what is this?’

It is sad to see a generally well rounded group of actors in a movie that has very little plot to it. Davidovich and Zegers particularly have remarkable on-screen chemistry.

It is clear to see the film was meant to be character driven but it still needs the backbone of a strong plot. It is unclear which of the writers needs to go back to the drawing board with this plot. The fact is that some of the holes in the plot need to be poly-filled.

There are also factual gaps in the film. It is supposed to take place during the month of October. The big problem with is that Crystal and the Kid are swimming and sun bathing. Even in the hottest Indian summers this would be impossible.

Curtis Wehrfritz is better known for his direction of music videos, although he makes the transition to film quite well. The scenes in which the Kid had the memory flashes of being with his father are enjoyable. They were emotional, believable and realistic. It was remarkable how it showed the amount of thought that swims through your mind when you find out something tragic.