MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Noelle The movie is surprisingly subdued in its pacing, its characterizations, and its go-for-broke sensibilities.

juneebuggy Wow, Maggie Gyllenhaal is absolutely brilliant in this as an ex-junkie who upon release from jail tries to turn her life around and get custody of her young daughter that barely knows her.Sherrybaby is a gritty, unflinching indie film that surprised me. For the most part its an emotional character study, with interesting hints of abuse from the father and all-round messed up family relationships.But there are just so many layers to this movie that wouldn't have been visible without Maggie G's stellar performance. I also enjoyed seeing another side of Danny Trejo who doesn't just "machete" stuff, he can really act. Always good to see Giancarlo Esposito from (Breaking Bad) as well. 10.13

Woodyanders Tragic and troubled recovering drug addict and former convict Sherry Swanson (a remarkably brave, touching, and fearless performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal) attempts to get her life back on track and reconnect with her estranged daughter Alexis (a fine and moving portrayal by Ryan Simpkins) after being released from prison. Writer/director Laurie Collyer maintains a tough, gritty, and resolutely unsentimental tone throughout, firmly grounds the seamy story in a plausibly sordid everyday reality, brings a surprising sexual frankness to the edgy material, and wrings plenty of wrenching poignancy in an unforced and organic manner. Moreover, Collyer warrants additional praise for not only handling an upsetting incest subplot with admirable taste and subtlety, but also for not offering any pat answers or simple solutions to the harsh issues addressed in the narrative (indeed, this movie astutely captures the bitter messiness of untidy real life). Gyllenhaal holds the whole picture together with her astonishingly potent and heartbreaking characterization of a deeply flawed, yet still sympathetic protagonist. It's also a definite treat to see Danny Trejo display a rare gentle and sensitive side as basically decent and tender ex-junkie Dean Walker. This movie further benefits from sterling contributions from Brad William Henke as Sherry's caring and supportive brother Bobby, Sam Bottoms as Sherry's loathsome sexually abusive father Bob Sr., Giancarlo Esposito as hard-nosed parole officer Hernandez, and Bridget Barkan as Bobby's disapproving wife Lynette. Russell Lee Fine's no-frills cinematography provides an appropriately naturalistic look. Jack Livesey's spare and obtrusive score likewise does the trick. An absolute powerhouse.

John Raymond Peterson Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of those polyvalent actors you mistake for someone else, at least until you've seen enough movies in which she delivered a performance that leaves you with a lasting impression. So she did for me in a few movies; her portrayal of a person with a certain mental disorder I can't identify by name and which would take way too long to describe, assured I would remember her even if I still can't pronounce her name correctly most of the time. That movie was "Secretary". It is not a movie I'd recommend to anyone I don't know well enough, nor is "Sherrybaby". The former, because I might be mistaken for a pervert, and the later because hard luck stories tend not to be entertaining or of interest to most. Gyllenhaal plays the role of Sherry Swanson.The IMDb storyline is adequate enough to give you an idea of the kind of movie it may be. If that storyline does not turn you off and you should decide to watch the film, you'll be more than satisfied. Gyllenhaal is most convincing as Sherry; I can't begin to understand how or what method she uses, but talent is a must to be sure. I need to repeat that this movie is not for everyone; it depicts a very rough life you soon understand is one that started when Sherry was younger. It is a conclusion obvious to draw. This will be hard to watch if you are the mother of a young child. The director probably made a conscious effort to avoid clichés and she was effective in my opinion. If you see any, it's because you don't like the acting as much as I did. Can you remember a movie in which Danny Trejo is a kind and caring person character? Get this; he's believable in that very role in this movie. Now imagine what good stuff Laurie Collyer, the director pulled off with the rest of the movie.

gabrielrenom Once more Maggie Gyllenhaal has done an impressive performance for SherryBaby, in fact she is the one that power the movie all the time.This film is about the life of one ex-prisoner that leaves jail with only one thing of mind, reunite with her daughther. Maggie Gyllenhaa is not a one of this ficcion-prisoner-mother, Laurie Collyer did a very good job writing the movie looking at the current situation and I think he reaches the target by showing a yound mother has been kept in jail because she was a kind of next-door-drugdealer.The film itself is a day to day after prison, and how this skinny girl try her best to get what she wants but always finding some one infront of her. She doesn't like to break the rules, but she doesn't understand why they there.The film will keep you in the seat all the time, I promise.