The epitome of alternative programming, Sherrybaby is about as far from a Transformers -type release as you can get. It is no less deserving of your time or attention however.
Independent film-making at its best, Sherrybaby is character-driven with a smart, involving script and superlative performances. The sophomore effort from writer/director Laurie Collyer, it stars Maggie Gyllenhaal ( Stranger than Fiction ) as Sherry Swanson, recent parolee, recovering heroin addict and mother of one. Returning home to New Jersey after serving a three year sentence, Sherry soon discovers that fitting back in with her family, reconnecting with her daughter and staying clean are more difficult than she had planned.
Reminiscent of Catherine Hardwick's ( Lords of Dogtown, Thirteen ) work, Collyer shoots Sherrybaby with a realistic docu-feel bringing real verisimilitude to her gritty and credible script. Of course, the grittiness of real life often makes for a hard watch—as Sherrybaby undoubtedly is at times—but when well done, as it is here, it is also always rewarding.
This realism wouldn't have been achievable, however, without a believable central performance. Making Sherry sympathetic despite her apparent flaws, the talented Maggie Gyllenhaal puts in an awards-worthy performance with nary a false move. The main reason to watch, her struggle and inevitable slip-up is by turns uncomfortable, uplifting, upsetting, but most importantly, involving. We want her to have a happy ending.
A little too languid and meandering about coming to its conclusion, and with one minor plot misstep involving Sherry's father, Sherrybaby won't appeal to all. But those looking for a personal and low-budget alternative to the deluge of effects-heavy summer blockbusters need look no further.
Four stars out of five
Feeds