Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers what can only be described as a riveting, stunning and powerful performance of a woman who's struggling to overcome her drug and alcohol addiction.

Sherry (Gyllenhaal), has just been released from jail after two years incarceration, after settling in to a halfway house arranged for her by her parole officer she sets about to reconcile with her family and in particular her young daughter whom she hasn't seen since going to jail. Gyllenhaal portrays Sherry with complete emotional detachment, letting nobody get in her way, using sex to get what she wants; she is totally unapologetic and never asks anyone to feel sorry for her, indeed, you never do.

This is the way the character was written and is portrayed, and it is so much the better for it.
Laurie Collyer, in her directorial debut, always projects a sense of uneasiness throughout, even Sherry's seemingly idyllic suburban family home never feels comfortable and, as the viewer, you are very… more »

Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers what can only be described as a riveting, stunning and powerful performance of a woman who's struggling to overcome her drug and alcohol addiction.

Sherry (Gyllenhaal), has just been released from jail after two years incarceration, after settling in to a halfway house arranged for her by her parole officer she sets about to reconcile with her family and in particular her young daughter whom she hasn't seen since going to jail. Gyllenhaal portrays Sherry with complete emotional detachment, letting nobody get in her way, using sex to get what she wants; she is totally unapologetic and never asks anyone to feel sorry for her, indeed, you never do.

This is the way the character was written and is portrayed, and it is so much the better for it.
Laurie Collyer, in her directorial debut, always projects a sense of uneasiness throughout, even Sherry's seemingly idyllic suburban family home never feels comfortable and, as the viewer, you are very much aware that something is not quite right.

Where most films like this fall down is the inspirational, melodramatic, redemptive ending that always manages to creep in. Not Here. Not once are we given any sort of 'rose tinted' views of Sherry. While the film ends on a note of hope you know that her path will be one of difficulty and hardship and injecting herself or diving to the end of a bottle is only a step away.

It is an unflinching and brave film, one that deserves to be seen, not only for Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance but because of it's feeling of humanity and ultimately its message of no matter how many times life knocks you down, you have to get back up and try again.