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Critics Consensus: Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers riveting performance as a recovering drug addict in a depressing and not entirely believable movie.
Critic Consensus: Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers riveting performance as a recovering drug addict in a depressing and not entirely believable movie.
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (17) | DVD (3)
The film itself is a collection of emotional highs and mostly lows for Gyllenhaal, who elevates it all far above the slim story.
It's the movie for you if you liked the pessimistic street view of Half Nelson.
As an actress, Ms. Gyllenhaal seems to steer clear of any parts that seek to exploit an audience's weakness for conventionally happy endings. Her films are therefore always worth seeing.
The wonder of Sherrybaby is that we can admire Sherry's exuberance and evident love of life -- and the extraordinary actress who portrays her -- without really being sure where she's going.
Like its hyped-up heroine, Sherrybaby, based on a true story, explodes with manic energy that keeps you riveted through parts that might otherwise be difficult to watch.
Gyllenhaal presents us with an indelible character study that will be seared into our minds for a long time to come.
Gyllenhaal shines in gritty, haunting drug drama.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance is wonderful, diving into this character that has barely anything worth sympathizing with...
"Sherrybaby" is an insightful and penetrating drama that never condescends or sentimentalizes its subject. Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a tour de force performance that is not to be missed.
...generally manages to overcome its almost egregiously familiar sensibilities to become an entertaining (yet hopelessly uneven) piece of work.
You'd swear Maggie Gyllenhaal grew up on the streets after seeing her in this gritty indie about a recovering heroin addict trying to go straight.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is an actress you simply cannot take your eyes off of.
Recently released from prison, a woman tries to reclaim her place as a mother while still hankering for the drugs that put her behind bars. Maggie Gyllenhaal is exceptional, breathing humanity into a selfish and oftentimes clueless woman with a strong, subtle performance. Her scenes with her daughter are heart-breaking and charming, and her scenes with the various men in her life allow her to play both the victim and the rebel. She simply makes the film worth watching. However, I thought the plot involving Sherry's relationship with her father came too late in the film and didn't add anything to the audience's struggle to understanding her character. Also, Brad William Henke plays Bobby like a simple schlub, and maybe this is the way the character is written, but it's not a strong choice. Does he judge Sherry? Hate her? Pity her? Who knows? Maybe all of the above. And Giancarlo Esposito's Officer Hernandez is such a prick that we wonder why Sherry would ever trust him. Overall, Maggie Gyllenhaal is remarkable in Sherrybaby, but the film leaves much to be desired.
Super Reviewer
No one makes it alone. Good movie! Maggie Gyllenhaal really carried this film on a very uncomfortable film to watch. The story was very good but difficult to watch in a way because of the main idea of a recovering mother trying to reach her daughter and reunite with her. Great acting! Sherry Swanson returns home to New Jersey after serving a three year prison sentence. Eager to reestablish a relationship with her young daughter, Sherry soon discovers that coming back to the world she left behind is far more difficult than she had planned.
This is about a woman named Sherry who has just been released from prison. She's a recovering addict, emotionally troubled, and it is hinted at that she's the victim of abuse at the hands of her father. The film follows Sherry as she tries to rebuild her life and start over, specifically in the area of patching up things with her family, most of her her young, estranged daughter. This film feels like it was tailor-made for Gyllenhaal, and that's definitely a good thing. She gives a finely observed and realistic performance that is moving and does a great job of hitting all the right notes without being too vacant or too over the top. She dominates things, but she doesn't carry the whole thing, though. She's got a terrific cast behind her, and they turn in some really good performances as well, especially Danny Trejo. It's nice seeing him play against type, and it adds more authenticity to the proceedings since he's playing a role that mirrors part of his own life and experiences. Another mention I'd like to make is Brad William Henke as Sherry's brother. That guy deserves more work andrecognition. The film is very much an indie, and it shows. It's got a nice sense of grit and realism, but not in a trashy or exploitative way. It's honest, emotional, and sometimes rather painful, but it's well done and pretty real. My only real gripe is that they could have dealt with the father issues a little more, and handled it in a slightly more satisfactory way. Aside from that, this is a really good drama about redemption and hope.
Unexpectedly, a great watch! A role for Maggie Gyllenhaal that demands her acting abilities to be taken seriously. The story doesn't appear in a conventional storytelling way, ie. a beginning, middle and end, it works far better as an extract of a family life in working progress. I like the way the film shows both sides of the story, it doesn't prejudice the story in either way and allows you to raise your own feelings.
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