Sherrybaby Review

Maggie Gyllenhaal gets her best role since "Secretary" in this superb indie film that was criminally overlooked at the Oscars last year. She plays Sherry Swanson, a recovering drug addict who gets out of prison after serving three years for drug-related robbery and tries to reconnect with her 9-year-old daughter, Lexi (Ryan Simpkins), who's being looked after by Sherry's brother Bob (Brad William Henke) and his wife Lynn (Bridget Barkan). At the same time she struggles with her addiction and tries to hold down a hard-earned job with children while keeping on the right side of her officious parole officer (Giancarlo Esposito).

The script, by first-time writer-director Laurie Collyer, is superb. There are great characters (notably Danny Trejo as fellow ex-addict Dean) and some terrific scenes - one casually shocking scene in particular gives a heart-breaking insight into the real source of Sherry's problems. Gyllenhaal gives an emotionally raw performance that is extremely moving. Sherry can be infuriating, vulnerable and loveable, often in the same scene - her interactions with both Lexi and the children in her class are particularly telling. There's also strong support from Trejo, who doesn't get to play characters this sensitive very often (aside from his rather brilliant cameo in "Desperate Housewives") and relishes the chance of a role that isn't listed as "Random Thug #2".

Rest assured, "Sherrybaby" isn't one of those doom-and-gloom pictures, despite the subject matter. Ultimately, it's a powerfully emotional study of love, addiction and the importance of family and it's worth seeing for Gyllenhaal's terrific central performance.