Mary Goes Round

Mary Goes Round is an insightful and compelling drama-comedy film from 2017 starring Aya Cash, Sara Waisglass, and Jess Salgueiro. Written and directed by Molly McGlynn, the movie provides an earnest exploration of human relationships, familial bonds, addiction, and redemption.

Mary Goes Round primarily revolves around the life of its titular character, Mary, portrayed brilliantly by Aya Cash. Cash delivers an absolutely riveting performance, showcasing a wide range of emotions as she breathes life into the complicated but relatable character of Mary. At the beginning, we see Mary as a successful substance abuse counselor in Toronto, displaying a facade of complete control and consummate professionalism. However, beneath this veneer, she is struggling with her own addiction to alcohol, a grim irony that haunts her daily existence.

Things take a turn for Mary when she's arrested for a DUI and her life starts to unravel at an alarming pace. She loses her job, her boyfriend, and her confidence, leaving her at a crossroads. Just as she realizes she must confront her demons and make a serious change, she receives a dauntingly-timed message from her estranged father.

Her father, in Niagara Falls and in the final stages of terminal illness, pleads with her to come home and meet her teenage half-sister, Robyn, played by Sara Waisglass. This is a dauntingly-timed challenge that Mary must face in addition to her struggles with addiction. Mary hasn’t been home in years, let alone been in contact with her father. She is profoundly ambivalent about reconnecting with her past and forging connections with a half-sister she has never met before, yet she decides to make the journey.

The talented Sara Waisglass delivers a strong performance as Robyn, a stubborn teenager struggling with the impending loss of her father and the sudden appearance of a half-sister. Her character makes for a wonderful foil to Mary’s. The ways in which the characters bounce off each other provides a considerable amount of the movie’s emotional depth.

Jess Salgueiro also shines as Lou, a kind-hearted local who serves as a beacon of raw honesty and firm support in Mary's life as she navigates this voyage of self-discovery and healing. Her character allows for moments of sincerity, objective assessment, and unconditional support, which are critical to the movie’s theme of dealing with addiction.

Mary Goes Round is a painfully honest and empathetic look at how one deals with addiction, trauma, and family relationships. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities that come with dealing with substance abuse, and it handles these difficult topics with amazing sensitivity. What sets this movie apart is its intricate character development. The characters are deep, flawed, and vulnerable, making them incredibly relatable. It's a film that asserts the importance of human connection, support, and self-care in the face of addiction. It argues that healing requires one to accept help when they stumble, and to understand that progress is not always linear.

The writing is sharp and conversational, inhibiting an organic sense of reality while still managing to capture moments of light-hearted humor to offset its somber undertones. The result is a well-rounded narrative that hits hard-hitting emotional beats without ever feeling overbearing.

What's more, the film is as visually compelling as it is emotionally engaging. The use of cinematography to tell the story adds another layer of depth to the movie. It uses the scenic backdrop of Niagara Falls as a symbolism for the tumultuous inner turmoil that the film's characters grapple with.

In essence, Mary Goes Round is a poignant and timely exploration of addiction and family estrangement. With its compelling narrative, fantastic performances, and evocative visuals, the movie is an emotional journey that will resonate with viewers long after they have left the theater. The performances are heartfelt, the cinematography is striking, and the story is resonant, making it an ideal watch for anyone thirsty for an insightful, deeply human story.