Mary Goes Round

Mary Goes Round

Year: 2017

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Molly McGlynn

Drama

A substance abuse counselor, recently arrested for a DUI, is forced to return to her hometown of Niagara Falls. There, she discovers her estranged father is battling cancer and wants her to connect with her teenage half-sister, whom she’s never met before. The situation prompts her to confront family ties and navigate a complex emotional journey.

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In the muted bustle of a Toronto clinic, a dedicated addiction counselor hides a private battle that threatens to upend the life she’s built for others. After a reckless night ends in a DUI arrest, her career is put on pause and personal relationships begin to crumble, leaving her at a crossroads where denial and responsibility collide. The city’s cold professionalism gives way to an invitation she can’t ignore—a return to the modest, mist‑kissed streets of Niagara Falls, where the past lingers like the roar of the falls themselves.

There, Walt, her estranged father, is confronting a terminal illness that forces him to reach across years of silence. He urges his daughter to meet Robyn, a teenage half‑sister who has grown up without knowing she exists. The prospect of bridging that gap introduces a fragile hope, but also the weight of unresolved grievances and the uncertainty of a family that has long been fragmented. The small town’s close‑knit community, with its familiar storefronts and lingering memories, provides a stark contrast to the impersonal corridors of her former work, setting the stage for a quietly tense reunion.

As Mary steps into this new environment, she encounters Lou, a compassionate figure whose own history of recovery hints at a possible ally in her struggle. Their tentative connection suggests that the path to self‑acceptance may be paved with unexpected friendships, as both characters grapple with the remnants of their past addictions while navigating the delicate dynamics of a family pulled back together by illness and necessity. The atmosphere swells with a mixture of gentle humor and sober reflection, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go to mend broken bonds.

The film unfolds with a contemplative tone, balancing the gritty reality of addiction with the tender possibilities of redemption. Against the backdrop of waterfalls and winter skies, the story promises an intimate look at how confronting personal demons can open doors to new, if uncertain, beginnings.

Last Updated: September 20, 2025 at 16:46

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Movies about reluctant homecomings like Mary Goes Round

Characters return to a fractured family, forced to face past wounds and secrets.If you liked Mary Goes Round, you'll appreciate these other movies about characters returning to their roots. These similar drama stories focus on fractured families, confronting the past, and the bittersweet process of reconciliation and facing long-buried secrets.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on an external event or personal crisis that forces a protagonist back to a place or people they have avoided. The story unfolds through a series of uncomfortable confrontations and revelations, often involving a terminally ill parent, a sudden responsibility, or secrets from the past, leading to a character arc defined by reluctant growth.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core narrative structure of a reluctant homecoming, a focus on heavy family dynamics, and a tone that balances the pain of the past with the possibility of cautious, hard-won connection.

Sobering addiction character studies like Mary Goes Round

Intimate portraits of flawed individuals grappling with their demons and seeking redemption.For viewers who liked the realistic portrayal of addiction in Mary Goes Round, this list features similar movies with heavy emotional weight. These character-driven dramas focus on personal accountability, recovery, and the bittersweet journey of confronting one's own flaws.

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Narrative Summary

The narratives follow a protagonist deeply entangled in their addiction—often a professional who should know better—as a personal crisis forces them to confront their behavior. The journey is internal, focusing on denial, shame, and the slow, non-linear process of taking responsibility, usually without a neatly happy ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their realistic and unsentimental approach to addiction, a heavy emotional weight driven by internal conflict, and a focus on the protagonist's difficult journey toward self-awareness and accountability rather than external plot mechanics.

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Mary Goes Round Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Mary Goes Round

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Mary Goes Round

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