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Sherrybaby | 
| Director: Laurie Collyer
Actors: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Bottoms, Michelle Hurst, Sandra Rodriguez
Studio: Screen Media
Category: DVD
List Price: $27.98
Buy Used: $1.71
You Save: $26.27 (94%)
New (40) Used (66) from $1.71
Rating:  62 reviews
Sales Rank: 37922
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dvd, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD33436D
UPC: 025193343628
EAN: 0025193343628
ASIN: B000JBXXYK
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: January 23, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Sherry is a young woman with a history of drug abuse & emotional turmoil. Just out of prison she finds herself struggling against all odds to reconnect with her estranged 5-year-old daughter while trying to readjust to the outside world. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 01/23/2007 Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal Brad William Henke Run time: 96 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com
A disturbing film about a recovering drug addict trying to regain control of her life, Sherrybaby succinctly depicts what can happen when want and desire aren't offset by control. In this bleak indie film, Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stranger Than Fiction, Secretary) has just been released from a three-year stint in prison. Dressed in her inappropriate uniform of a halter top and oh-so-high platform heels, she goes to brother's house to see her 5-year-old daughter, Lexie (Ryan Simpkins). Sherry is determined to be a mother to her child, but without a home, job, or any other form of stability, she grows frustrated and jealous of her brother and sister-in-law's roles in Lexie's life. Tall and willowy, Gyllenhaal brings a sad desperation and simmering sexuality to the role. Sherry's middle-class childhood was a blur of sex and drugs, and she seems incapable of breaking out of that destructive trap. While the script by first-time feature film director Laurie Collyer isn't wholly original, the picture moves at a good pace, giving insight as to why Sherry's resigned to using sex to get what she wants. While the family secret doesn't come as a complete surprise, it is somewhat perplexing that no one addresses it. Ultimately, it's Gyllenhaal who makes you care about a character that most people would've given up on. --Jae-Ha Kim
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| Customer Reviews: Read 57 more reviews...
 Maggie IS sherrybaby June 17, 2009
Susan E. Collins (ohio)
This is a movie I had viewed prior to purchasing it. It struck such a chord that I could not get it out of my mind; I knew I had to have it! Maggie G. is superb in her role, much better actress than I knew.
gritty realism and excellent acting June 10, 2009
Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
(4.5 stars)
SherryBaby features a tour de force performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Sherry Swanson, a recovering drug addict just released from prison wanting new chances in life and a real relationship with her five year old daughter. The plot moves along at a good pace and the acting was very convincing; I was never bored and unlike some other reviewers I thought the acting by the principle cast was uniformly well done. The cinematography and the choreography show careful forethought and good judgment; and there's excellent character development, too.
When the film begins, we see Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal) returning home on a bus after being released from prison for possession of drugs and robbery. Sherry desperately wants to contact her brother Bobby (Brad William Henke) and his wife Lynette (Bridget Barkan) who have been taking care of Sherry's very young daughter Alexis (Ryan Simpkins). However, Sherry first checks into a halfway house and a drug rehab plan, there she meets Andy (Rio Hackford) who doesn't exactly mind some time alone with Sherry even though he's the director of the halfway house! Look also for an excellent performance by Michelle Hurst as Dorothy Washington, the matron of the halfway house who settles fights and organizes things; and this gets important when Sherry fights pretty badly with Desi (Sandra Rodriguez), another resident of the halfway house.
Sherry realizes the halfway house is too rough an environment for her; the stress could cause her to relapse and use drugs. Her brother Bobby and his wife Lynette, who aren't too thrilled to even see her again, decide anyway to let Sherry stay with them a brief while. Sherry also looks for work; she wants to work with kids and she's prepared to do whatever it takes--including romantic favors to a total stranger and countless promises to her parole officer Mr. Hernandez (Giancarlo Esposito) that she'll avoid drugs and be good with the kids.
Unfortunately, however, the tension only mounts and other reviewers are right to note that life on the outside is somewhat like a prison in that there are so many social barriers and law enforcement restrictions that could cause trouble for Sherry. Ultimately, Bobby and Lynette throw Sherry out although they pay for her motel room; they just can't deal with her. They themselves cause part of the trouble by telling Sherry's daughter Alexis to call her Sherry instead of "mommy." Ouch! Sherry's father also does his share of damage, too.
Of course the plot can go anywhere from here. Will Sherry be able to bond with her daughter Alexis and her other family members once again? What about Sherry's job working with kids--how will that play out? Will Sherry be able to stay clean? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch and find out!
The DVD has the theatrical trailer; I wish we had some commentary or an interview or two but we don't get any of that. That's a disappointment. I'll take off half a star for that!
SherryBaby does an excellent job of portraying the struggles of a woman who desperately wants to reenter society after being in jail for drug possession and robbery. The movie shows us that this is far from easy; people in Sherry's position aren't truly free at all even after they are released from jail. They have their personal problems in addition to social barriers and responsibilities to law enforcement officers who may have to monitor them. I highly recommend this film for people interested in these issues. Indeed, anyone who wants a film about life with gritty realism and excellent acting would do well to add this DVD to their collection.
 2.5 stars out of 4 May 3, 2009
One-Line Film Reviews (Ann Arbor)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Bottom Line:
Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance (and often nude body) is the only real reason to watch this mediocre film, and even she is unable to elevate the movie above the dozens of similar independent offerings out there: only make time for this one if you're a Gyllenhaalic.
Magnificent Maggie... April 22, 2009
R. Gawlitta (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is not a film I'd buy for subsequent viewings. Once was enough. So depressing and so unrelenting... And that's what makes it worthy, thanks to the unflinching performance of Maggie Gyllenhaal. Magnificent! There is focus and good direction throughout, and fine supporting characters, but all you can remember is Maggie, thorougly in touch with her most unlikeable character. A stellar study in acting, and a fine achievement in realizing the human condition, as it may apply.
Good acting but a depressing movie of the effects of drugs April 13, 2009
TJ-STL (St Louis)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The acting was quite good but all the wonderfully shaped cleavage and close ups of her from behind and bending cheapened her otherwise good performance. My negative feelings result from the hopelessness of her life and the only likeable character being her brother, and that took a while to develope. I was concerned why her patrol officer gave her so many breaks in the beginning that lead to her down fall. Did her father always molest her and did that lead to her inevitable down fall? Her use of her body to get a job, housing and drugs tells of the perpetual downward spiro. This along with her inability to resist re-addition tells the terrible tale all should heed. VERY GOOD movie but not a cheerful one and not even a good cry, just an over all feeling of depression. Its message is simply about the hopelessness of drugs and sex that leads to an attitude and conduct she does not really see, that would continue to drag her down.
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