Mary Goes Round (Molly McGlynn, 2017): Canada

Reviewed by Madeline Englese. Viewed at Metropolitan Theaters, Santa Barbara, CA.

Molly McGlynn’s Mary Goes Round is her first full length feature film captaining the project as the screenwriter and director Mary Goes Round offers something tangible.

We are told the story of Mary, a substance abuse counselor and substance abuser story through a series of awkward and uncomfortable extreme closeups. After a drunk driving arrest leading to her losing her job and relationship she goes home to her estranged father whom she learns is dying, and tries to build a relationship with her half sister who she has never met. The film stars Aya Cash (The Wolf of Wall Street), Sara Waisglass (up and coming), and John Ralston (Pound of Flesh). The fresh faces and heart felt acting was essential to the telling of the troubled family.

A movie rooted in sly humor, McGlynn tackles estrangement, addiction, death, and forgiveness with out the viewer being bogged down by the severity of the topics, and still feeling connected to Mary. Aya Cash’s emotional performance carries the film as we watch her character ways out her choices, trying to find her way as she has hit her lowest point. Through extreme close up scenes of her excessively drinking and emotional dialogue between her and her family we learn we can’t run away from our problems. In a masterfully thought out ploy, the ambiguities of characters having only first names gives a wave a realness and reliability to the situation as solemn as the falls where the movie is set.

Cinematographer Nick Haight does a beautiful job of creating real conversations and moments between actors and audience. Christine Armstrong, the films editor, makes a point to take those beautiful shots and create a film that you really feel that you are sitting in Mary’s shoes.

This movie is not a happily ever after, it is a choice, and it is the best choice I’ve made in a long time. As someone who has been through a lot of the same things as this character I was incredibly touched by this film. There where times when I had tears in my eyes and I left the theater with my chip in my hand and a new lust for life. For anyone who loves a story of heart, family, or triumph go round to a theater near you an see this film.