It’s a martyred life for Diane (Mary Kay Place): every day is an endless succession of windshields and brief layovers with sick friends and relatives. The reason Diane pays daily, unannounced visits to her son Brian’s (Jake Lacy) apartment isn’t so much that she’s a pest — though there is that — but to make sure her drug-addicted baby didn’t accidentally off himself. For thirty minutes of the picture, scenes conclude at the mere mention of his name. But he gets even with her alright, trading in one addiction for another and marrying a devout born-again proselytizer he met in rehab. An actor’s showcase, constructed with care by writer-director Kent Jones, that boasts jeweled performances from his two leads in addition to a pair of emotionally embroidered supporting turns from Estelle Parsons and Andrea Martin. An uncomfortable dinner exchange logjams, leaving Martin silently scrambling to change the subject. Brief moments such as this are a testament to the actress’ versatility and indispensability. Be forewarned: the MPAA should have rated it D for depressing. (2018) — Scott Marks
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