Watch Sherrybaby

Sherrybaby is a drama film from 2006 starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as Sherry Swanson, a young woman who is released from prison after serving a three-year sentence for drug-related crimes. The movie explores Sherry's attempts to rebuild her life and reconnect with her young daughter, Alexis (Ryan Simpkins), who has been living with her brother and sister-in-law.

The movie begins with Sherry's release from prison, and it quickly becomes clear that she has a lot of challenges to face. She has lost custody of her daughter, and she has nowhere to go. She ends up living in a halfway house with other recovering addicts, and she struggles to find a job and fit in with the other residents. At the same time, she is dealing with her own addiction and trying to stay clean.

One of the major themes of the movie is the relationship between Sherry and her daughter, Alexis. Sherry is determined to regain custody of her daughter, but she finds it difficult to connect with her. Alexis is only five years old and has been living with her uncle and aunt for years, so she doesn't remember much about her mother. Sherry's attempts to bond with her daughter are often awkward and strained, and at times it seems like Alexis is more comfortable with her aunt and uncle.

As the movie unfolds, we see Sherry facing a series of setbacks and challenges. She struggles to fit in with the other residents of the halfway house, and she has difficulty finding a job. She also has to navigate the complicated relationships between her family members, including her estranged father (played by Sam Bottoms). Meanwhile, she is still grappling with her addiction and the temptation to use drugs again.

One of the strengths of the movie is the complexity of the characters. Sherry is a flawed protagonist, and the movie doesn't shy away from showing her at her lowest moments. She can be selfish and manipulative, and she often puts her own desires ahead of her daughter's needs. At the same time, she is also sympathetic and vulnerable, and we can see that she genuinely wants to make things right with her daughter. Alexis, too, is a nuanced character, and we get a sense of her own hopes and fears as she navigates the complicated relationships in her life.

The movie is also notable for its strong performances. Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a raw, emotionally charged performance as Sherry, and she portrays the character's highs and lows with equal intensity. Ryan Simpkins is also impressive as Alexis, bringing a sense of childlike innocence to the role while also hinting at the character's deeper emotional state. The supporting cast is also strong, with Sam Bottoms giving a nuanced performance as Sherry's father, and Brad William Henke standing out as Dean, one of the halfway house residents.

Overall, Sherrybaby is a powerful and emotionally complex drama that explores themes of addiction, parenthood, and redemption. While it can be tough to watch at times, it is ultimately a hopeful and empathetic portrayal of a woman struggling to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter. Whether you're a fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal or just a fan of compelling, character-driven dramas, Sherrybaby is definitely worth checking out.

Sherrybaby is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 66.