Mary Goes Round - Cleveland International Film Festival
Aya Cash turns in a masterful performance as the titular Mary, an alcoholic who spends a lot of her time running away from demons. Just when a DUI arrest makes Mary reevaluate her position as a substance abuse counselor, she receives a call from her estranged father who would like her to visit him. Reluctantly, Mary goes home to visit the man whose own alcoholism ruined his relationship with Mary’s now-deceased mother. Learning her father is dying and that she has a half-sister—neither of whom knew the other existed—Mary must reconcile with the past in order to have a future. Charmingly funny and at times heartbreaking, MARY GOES ROUND is a can’t-take-your-eyes-off-it film with splendid performances and terrific direction from Molly McGlynn, who mined her own experiences for the film. MARY GOES ROUND is a graceful look at a woman who can sneak bottles into her purse while learning to deal with the baggage she carries. —T.W.
