Mary Goes Round (Molly McGlynn, 2017) USA

Reviewed by Grace Hartell. Viewed at Metro 4, Santa Barbara

Molly McGlynn’s first feature, Mary Goes Round,  takes an honest yet humorous view of alcoholism and family dysfunction.  Ava Cash (You’re the Worst, Wolf of Wall Street) plays Mary, a young substance abuse counselor who is in denial about her own out-of-control drinking.   When she returns to her hometown to be with family, she can longer escape the truth of her unmanageable life.

The discomfort of watching Mary’s slide into self-destruction is tempered by her charming humor. She can’t see the irony of her work helping addicts and ultimately she is forced to take a leave. Her race to the bottom accelerates when she totals her boyfriend’s car and gets arrested for a DUI. Her father Walt (John Ralston, Bitten) convinces her to come back to Niagara Falls under the false pretense that her half-sister Robyn (Sara Waisglass, Afterwards) wants to meet her.

She arrives to not only find out that her father is dying of cancer but that he wants the two women to bond. He also wants Mary to do his dirty work and to tell Robyn of his cancer. Walt’s plan unravels quickly when it is clear that Robyn is not pleased to have Mary around.

Faced with family dysfunction and personal demons she can no longer ignore, Mary attends her first AA meeting, where she meets Lou (Melanie Nicholas-King, St. Vincent).  Lou’s offers Mary friendship and no nonsense advice,  “its time to wear your big girl pants.” Her support helps Mary finally acknowledge the denial and self-pity which are wrecking her life.

The themes of the film are well supported by the setting and cinematography. The cold sadness of downtown Niagara Falls mirrors Mary’s internal landscape. Her slouchy clothes, knitted cap and slumped posture are a picture of self-loathing.  Close camera angles and well-placed sound effects give an intimate feel to the film.  I felt like I was sitting across from Mary in the AA meeting, squirming in my own chair watching her nervously picking at a styrofoam cup.

This film, through a blending of drama and humor, takes a fresh look at the serious topic of alcoholism.  The cast and dialogue are superb in supporting the themes of loss, acceptance and growth. Messages we can all use, one day at a time.