Mary/Mary

Running time: N/A

Proving that a little neurosis can go a long way, Mary/Mary tells the captivating story of Manny, a paranoid hypochondriac with a pair of Dick Tracy-style gangsters living in his head. Manny's mixed-up world is populated by colorful characters like Mary, his best friend and sometimes-lover, Brian, a wannabe prizefighter, and Q&A, the aforementioned imaginary thugs that question Manny's every action. The situation gets complicated as Manny's paranoia begins to drag all of his friends down: in his attempt to turn Brian into a champion fighter, Manny tries to tap into Brian's inner rage by inciting his jealousy over his girlfriend's past sexploits. Tension rises when Manny begins a new relationship with a second Mary, putting strain on his friendship with Mary #1. Mary/Mary presents an ending that is refreshingly unresolved; in this film, as in life, loose strings are often left untied. Winner of the Telluride Film Festival's Best Feature Prize, Mary/Mary marks director Joe Biancaniello's feature debut and delivers critically lauded performances by newcomers Bernthal and Drown. Mary/Mary presents an innovative and thought provoking take on mental illness that is not to be missed. - Maya Kroth