ykf 483620:

Sherrybaby is a fine performance piece. Gyllenhaal, who has always created dynamic and interesting characters, has her signature role in Sherrybaby... or at the very least it's my personal favorite role for her. The film is about a recent young female parole struggling to get her life together after being released from jail. She has to face addiction issues, family issues, abuse issues... and all of these are brought to the screen in a genuine and moving fashion. The film is the kind of story that is too rare today in Hollywood... rare because it deals with specific real-life issue through a created character. I love the film from front to back. I sort of wish there was a little more conclusion at the end of the film... but as I thought about it, the ending did seem to fit. Because Sherrybaby is uncertain... I highly recommend this movie to all.

8adef320a8:

Maggie Gyllenhaal further establishes herself as one of the better actors of her generation with this portrayal. The film does a great job of developing the Sherry character throughout, so we have no problems understanding who she is and why. It certainly lacks in areas, though. A few of the supporting characters are one-dimensional, and I feel like the setting could have been better selected. Generic New Jersey, while symbolic in important ways, doesn't lend itself visually nor does it add much to the character's rock-bottom status. A more run down, urban environment would have worked better, I think. In the end, it's a very strong, character driven Indie that worth a watch by anyone even slightly interested in these types of stories. There are better films of this ilk out there, but there are certainly many, many more that are worse.

moviesorfilm:

Sad, dark and gritty. Hard to watch because of the realism in the story but ultimately so entertaining and worthwhile experience. The story centers on Sherry (Gyllenhaal), an ex-con and former heroin addict, trying to get her life back in order. She has a young daughter who is in the custody of her brother and wife. At first glimpse Sherry seems totally unlikeable and destined to return to prison and to drugs as she uses the only thing she has (her sexuality) to get what she needs. Delving deeper into the character there is so much that just scratches at her surface--no mother, sexually abusive father, etc. The performances here are brilliant--Gyllenhaal plays Sherry straight on, with such an intensity it makes it easy to want to be on her side and see her fight. The rest of the cast is great too with Trejo a standout as an addiction counselor who becomes her friend and lover. I didn't really want to see this movie because I was sure it was going to be a total downer but there was such an amazing sense of hope at the end that made this such a great experience. I highly recommend this movie, especially to Gyllenhaal fans.

Supercords:

A mostly depressing film that demonstrates what happens when you make one bad decision in life after another. Great acting can?t change the fact that you?ll be rooting for child protection services to swoop in and save the day. Rating: C-

rdw 323146:

This at times a hard movie to watch. But the incredible performance by Maggie G. is mesmerizing.

Amanda JM:

This film isn't closed captioned or subtitled - rendering it impossible for me as a deaf person and my father as a late-deafened person to enjoy this movie.

Sam in NC:

A nice indie film, which is certainly a departure from the large number of generic films released by the smaller studios lately. I felt like the movie actually had something to say rather than just trying to make the audience think it was clever. Gyllenhaal definitely drives the story and the movie--this is not a film where the story drives the characters. If you're looking for a good character-driven movie that won't make you laugh out loud, this should do.

KS 315917:

The movie itself only deserved 3 stars at best, but Maggies performance was outstanding, bumping this up to 4 stars.

demonduck:

Maggie Gyllenhaal continually impresses me with her choices of film. While she might well be suited to cutesy fluff, she seems more interested in fringe characters that will challenge her and her audience. She does not fail. Sherrybaby is devastatingly accurate and cutting in its tale of a junkie mom coming to terms with her role as a mother.

tbo 252003:

This is a fantastic film about a young woman overcoming her history of drug abuse and exploitation, and attempting to learn how to live in the world as a responsible adult. This film feels incredibly real, and hits you like a kick in the gut. There is no Hollywood happy ending or overblown redemption story to be had here. Instead the viewer walks away from the film full of ambiguity and unsure of the future; just like in real life. Fantastic.

Rogertick:

The elements are mostly here for a great film. A potentially compelling situation, a talented lead actress who can carry the weight of an intricate scrip. For me, sadly, great performances in this film, are mostly wasted on a much too obvious script. Lot's of serious issues are raised but they are used as bogeymen and never actually addressed. Had they been this might have been a much richer, better film.

Andsav:

This is one of those movies that was too short and had so much potential to be better but fell short. This movie had one very big thing going for it--Maggie Gyllenhalal--all the other supporting characters were bland and didn't really add all that m...(read more)uch to the film. Throughout the film, when it seemed like Sherry was about to redeem herself, she always managed to mess things up. I felt like her parole officer who said something along the lines that she wants a lot of things but she's not willing to put in the leg work to achieve it. Needless to say, I'm walking away from this film with mixed feelings.

TIVS INDUSTRIES:

Sherrybaby is a Lifetime movie with a better cast. Junkie tries to make good and change her life but falls back into her old life style. It's a simple, predictable movie, right down to the father scene. Never the less, the acting was great. Maggie Gyllenhaal is great.This a watchable movie but nothing amazing.