Sherrybaby
by Laurie Collyer
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michelle Hurst, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Bottoms, Sandra RodríguezDirector: Laurie Collyer
Brand: UNI
Cinematographer: Russell Lee Fine
Writer: Laurie Collyer
Editor: Curtiss Clayton
Producer: Ethan Smith
Producer: Jeb Brody
Producer: Lemore Syvan
Producer: Marc Turtletaub
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 96 minutes
Published: 2007-01-01
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-23
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Screen Media
Movie Reviews of Sherrybaby
Movie Review: gritty realism and excellent acting
Summary: 5 Stars
(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 Rodríguez), 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.
Summary of Sherrybaby
Synopsis:Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: R
Street Date: 01/23/07
Wide Screen: yes
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
LanguageENGLISH
Foreign Film: no
Subtitlesno
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: no
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve Please note: This supplier will be closed on 11/24, 11/25, 12/26, 1/2 for the holidays. The shipping cut off is 12/10 to try and have the products delivered by Christmas.
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