A date for mad Mary (2016)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2016
	Director: Darren Thornton
	Actors: Seána Kerslake, Charley Bailey, Tara Lee
	Country: IRL
	Genre: Romance, Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 27.11.2017, Schauburg, OV Sneak Preview, English with German subtitle
Synopsis: 'Mad' Mary McArdle (Kerslake) returns to Drogheda after a short spell in prison - for something she'd rather forget. Back home, everything and everyone has changed. Her best friend, Charlene (Bailey), is about to get married and Mary is to be her maid of honour. When Charlene refuses Mary a 'plus one' on the grounds that she probably couldn't find a date, Mary becomes determined to prove her wrong.
Review:  Mary always had difficulties with relationships except with Charlene. And she sees that all her dates are failing. When she meets Jess (Lee), a photograph, with whom she starts partying like in the old days with Charlene, she tries out this new relationship, this time with a woman. She comes also closer to her previously hated mother. For me the fact of facing oneself (with one's mistakes) could have been exploited in the scene when Mary faces the girl she stroke almost to death. But instead, she just smokes a cigarette. As this confrontation with her reality is not shown in any other scene, this gives the impression that the visible change of behaviour is due only to her new sexual relationship with Jess and not because she thought about the good and bads she did in her past. The acting of Seána Kerslake is like her role, not in nuances but with very different expressions. And she has a great charisma on screen. Therefore I guess she could play other roles. At least I hope to see this promising actress again.
Rating: 4 /10