Falling squarely between intelligently compelling and consistently boring is Welcome to Mercy. The movie drags with unnecessary nuances that only add length to the run time. It seems the plot is intentionally vague in places in an effort to force the viewer to connect the dots, and while this is typically appreciated, it is not done effectively. The film comes into its own toward the end, which is a brilliant take on the complexities of parenthood but feels a bit convoluted. Writer/lead actress Kristen Ruhlin is a newcomer to penning a script and while this was far from perfect, there is promise in her future. Unfortunately, Mercy leaves just as many questions as answers (why do all of the women in the convent have British accents?), but not in an intentionally contemplative Lynchian way.
