sherrybaby - directed by laurrie collyer

"sherrybaby" staring maggie gyllenhaal, introduces us to sherry swanson, a recent paroled inmate and recovering heroine addict who is trying to re-enter the real world to become available to her five year old daughter. sherry's life is strewn with lecherous encounters with men, and her journey to normalcy forces her to face reality head on. it would be easy to treat such material with sentimentality and put a polish on the "girl with the heart of gold." but this film displays the road ahead in a small and simple way. there are many awkward moments in this film that subtly reveal sherry's transformation without opening every motivation and desire to the audience. gyllenhaal, one of the most complex young actresses to be emulsified in years, is sublime. she gives a wonderful voice to a train wreck of a character, which allows us to become the biggest advocates for sherry's transcendence.