SherryBaby
IFC Films | Release Date: September 8, 2006
7.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings
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21
Mixed:
3
Negative:
1
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10
delineoSep 29, 2017
This movie made my teeth hurt it was so good and so sad. I realized I'd been grinding them halfway through with the inevitability of what was happening. One of the saddest, most realistic movies I've ever seen. A stunning performance from Gyllenhaal.
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9
KennyF.Jan 24, 2007
I just got done watching this heart wrenching movie. I actually had my hands in a prayer for her to be able to keep her job... and i'm not even the slightest of a religious person. Maggie Gyllenhaal keeps impressing me with her roles, I just got done watching this heart wrenching movie. I actually had my hands in a prayer for her to be able to keep her job... and i'm not even the slightest of a religious person. Maggie Gyllenhaal keeps impressing me with her roles, and it is magnicent watching her from Donnie Darko to Sherrybaby. I haven't felt this uncomfortable watching and hoping for the best of the protagonist since Dogville. Highly recommended.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
HansB.Feb 20, 2007
Maggie was fanstastic (10). The story was so so (6) --> 8.
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9
MichaelL.Apr 12, 2007
This is a wonderful film; difficult to watch, yet exceptional in its humanity. Yes, we might know where it's going, but it's a miraculous ride. Maggie Gylllenhaal is astoundingly "real" as Sherry. There isn't a strained, This is a wonderful film; difficult to watch, yet exceptional in its humanity. Yes, we might know where it's going, but it's a miraculous ride. Maggie Gylllenhaal is astoundingly "real" as Sherry. There isn't a strained, inauthentic moment in her performance. She is 100% raw. Anyone with an ounce of insight into human nature, or an understanding of the trauma "bad parenting" inflicts will find a way to connect with Sherry. Don't miss it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
MarcK.Apr 6, 2007
Very dark and sad. Not bad, but not all that I heard it was cracked up to be. I liked MG better in "Stranger Than Fiction."
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JamesSep 11, 2006
Maggie Gyllenhaal is terrific! She just breathes life into this film. No sugar coating, just gutsy, eye-opening acting. WOW.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MaseSep 19, 2006
Well Done!!, Very honest real filmaking, for anyone who knows someone like Sherry this should hit close too home.
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8
ChristopherW.Jan 25, 2007
Sherrybaby is a remarkable film partly because Gyllenhaal's character is so unremarkable. This desperate emotionally desolate woman is not necessarily the kind of heroine who rises above adversity to become something more extraordinary. Sherrybaby is a remarkable film partly because Gyllenhaal's character is so unremarkable. This desperate emotionally desolate woman is not necessarily the kind of heroine who rises above adversity to become something more extraordinary. The film treats her as a deeply flawed and wounded young woman who is unappealing and manipulative. Gyllenhaal strikes all the right notes with this performance. It's a gutsy courageous performance because a lesser actress may have tried to make the character more sympathetic and ostentatious. One of the many strong aspects of this film is the genuine honesty and natural realism that Gyllenhaal and the actress that plays her daughter were able to convey in their pivotal scenes together. This made the film's emotional punch all the more devestating. As a harrowing glimpse into a life that ran far off the tracks, Sherrybaby is a powerful viewing experience. Don't look for a happy ending. This is not that kind of film. Just be prepared for a difficult, naked, but nonetheless compelling character study.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BlakeJ.Mar 21, 2007
One of the most powerful, painful, serious, beautiful, and well acted movies I have ever seen. Maggie is a miracle as Sherry. One of the truest depictions of the hold drugs can have on a human being. Like no movie I have ever seen before. If One of the most powerful, painful, serious, beautiful, and well acted movies I have ever seen. Maggie is a miracle as Sherry. One of the truest depictions of the hold drugs can have on a human being. Like no movie I have ever seen before. If you are looking for a movie to change your life, this is as close as you will ever need to search. How is a woman that actually desires to become a model citizen supposed to do so when her father sexually abuses her, and she cannot get a job because her resume says she was in jail for 2 and half years for stealing money for drugs? She has to try, and try Sherry does.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ChadS.Mar 24, 2007
Even the seemingly no-nonsense parole officer (Giancarlo Esposito) isn't impervious to the feminine wiles of a misunderstood strumpet. Officer Hernandez, whose bark is worse than his bite, grants Sherry(Maggie Gyllenhall) the special Even the seemingly no-nonsense parole officer (Giancarlo Esposito) isn't impervious to the feminine wiles of a misunderstood strumpet. Officer Hernandez, whose bark is worse than his bite, grants Sherry(Maggie Gyllenhall) the special privilege of seeing her daughter. The affectionate appendage "baby" is sublimated in this kind act, this favor to a lost soul, which no doubt originated from somewhere south of his heart. When we meet a certain family member, we know in an instant who first called her "baby", and subjected her to objectification. This inappropriate relationship helps explain why Bobby (Brad William Henke) doesn't quite know how to hug his sister(see how her hesitates during their first meeting). "Sherrybaby" avoids the cliched response to the cliche that explains why a woman is promiscuous. The film avoids that big weepy moment when the woman guilt-trips the passive bystander to her historical victimization, which normally should be a sign of mature filmmaking; but here, it seems like a contradiction to Sherry's fiery nature. Gyllenhaal doesn't have to unleash hell against her brother at the diner, but a little heck would've been more satisfactory than what actually transpires in what should've been the film's pivotal moment. Obviously, Sherry should let her daughter be, but she's a mother; not a mother******. You shouldn't hate her for caring too much. It's the latter type, the woman who never returns to reclaim her namesake, you should deride and villify.… Expand
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3
MeghanJul 14, 2007
Overrated. Vulgar for the sake of jusy being vulgar because it's an "independent film" and they feel that they can could get away with it. Magge G did nothing but whine her way through it. Questions were left unanswered. Thoroughly Overrated. Vulgar for the sake of jusy being vulgar because it's an "independent film" and they feel that they can could get away with it. Magge G did nothing but whine her way through it. Questions were left unanswered. Thoroughly disappointing. I wish they had just stayed with the mother daughter aspect of the film instead of constantly going to the sex aspect of the film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ClaytonT.Sep 19, 2006
The movie isnt for those looking to find that moment hat ever best actress hopefull has, that moment of high drama where she gets to scream and shout about the situation at hand. But for those looking to see one of the most methodized and The movie isnt for those looking to find that moment hat ever best actress hopefull has, that moment of high drama where she gets to scream and shout about the situation at hand. But for those looking to see one of the most methodized and subtle performances of the year, maggie is your girl! She really delivers here. Her charactor is believable and honest. The story is heartbreaking and real and not for anybody who has ever had a person like sherry in their life. Its a hard but compelling watch.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
LeeA.Mar 18, 2008
Trejo was pitch perfect. Esposito about as authentic as his turn in, "The Wire." Gyllenhaal...what better to say than her performance was not like watching a consummate actor; it was like observing the real thing. As for Collyer's Trejo was pitch perfect. Esposito about as authentic as his turn in, "The Wire." Gyllenhaal...what better to say than her performance was not like watching a consummate actor; it was like observing the real thing. As for Collyer's script: she's either a 12 stepper, or one terrifically objective and, ( in this sense, could this be an oxymron??, ) "sympathetic" medium.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
eliteco3Feb 21, 2013
Hard nosed Maggie performs well here. The movie feels a little bit slow and empty. The substance centers around another self inflicted addict whose selfishness leaves her desperate.
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021
The movie has quite a 'dark' feel to it, obviously due to the nature of it story wise but also the lighting is dim throughout (so its not a great idea to watch it on a particularly sunny afternoon!), this reminded me of the movies of theThe movie has quite a 'dark' feel to it, obviously due to the nature of it story wise but also the lighting is dim throughout (so its not a great idea to watch it on a particularly sunny afternoon!), this reminded me of the movies of the 1980s that often featured very dark lighting throughout.

The movie did feel quite gritty and realistic, is isn't overly 'Hollywood' at all, with a fairy tale type ending, I didn't think that it was particularly predictable or formulaic really, although, to be fair, it isn't the sort of movie that I've seen many examples of, I suppose. The scenes between Sherry and her estranged daughter Alexis were well acted and left me unsure how to feel really, you can tell that Sherry clearly wants to regain her relationship with her daughter, understandably enough and as a supposedly reformed character she starts off well, telling others and probably in part to remind herself that she is clean and wanting to turn over a new leaf so to speak but while her daughter Alexis is at first happy to see her again, it doesn't last too long and you can really see her hesitation due to the time spent apart and certain situations that ensure, given all that the viewer knows, I found it hard to know who's side to be on, almost. It is a movie that makes you think and there are some scenes of a graphic nature (sexual scenes and possibly one or two violent scenes), so its not for the overly squeamish I'd say but given the plot, thats to be expected. There aren't really any graphic scenes of drug use in it, which may come as a surprise but I don't really remember any, so thats perhaps a plus, I have to say I hate to see needles so that would have very much put me off! but anyway, I think really the movie is more about the flaws of Sherry and how she reacts to being given this chance to start over again, thinking things may go a particular way but then having to adjust to the circumstances that she finds both herself and Alexis in.

I found her character quite an interesting one and as the movie continues, you see more characters coming forward and trying to help her, with varied responses and leading to us finding out more about her. Obviously she is quite a flawed character and its difficult for her brother who wants to try and help her, while he's been caring for Alexis and isn't sure whats best for both of them, giving their different situations. What Sherry does in order to try and land her dream job and such like again brings home the other side to her as well and it could well leave you trying to decide quite what to make of this character, who it seems is in one hand quite desperate, while also perhaps expecting too much in another sense as well.

Back to the movie itself and I thought that the story did seem quite good and the acting was also good. Maggie plays Sherry well, as I'd expected, she has this quite aggressive and sort of worn out look about herself in this role, if that makes sense(?) which fits the character. She does give quite a decent emotional performance in it and I also particularly thought that the actress who played Alexis, Ryan Simpkins, also gave a particularly good performance, the two of them seemed to connect well on screen and I thought they both did well in portraying their characters.

Yes, I would recommend it. I think that its a pretty realistic (from what I know) and gritty movie that has good character development, it makes you think and it has decent performances throughout, so if this is a movie that appeals to you then I would recommend it. One last comment which is partly related to recommending it would be that I did think that this movie was quite gritty and graphic, there is some pretty heavy (strong) language at one point and nudity shown (Sherry is topless on a couple of occasions) so I was fairly surprised to see it was given a 15 rating, rather than an 18 rating really (perhaps that shows what a sheltered life I live?!) and I would be cautious of recommending this movie to younger teenagers or anyone under about 16 or 17 at least.… Expand
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