An emotionally stunted ex-convict whose recent release from prison finds
her attempting to form a relationship with her young daughter finds that
redemption doesn't come easy in an emotional family drama that marks the feature
debut of award-winning documentary filmmaker Laurie Collyer. When Sherry Swanson
(Maggie Gyllenhaal) was sentenced to three years in prison on a drug-related
robbery conviction at the age of 22, she had just given birth to a daughter
named Alexis (Ryan Simpkins). Placed in the care of Sherry's brother, Bobby
(Brad William Henke), and sister-in-law, Lynette (Bridget Barkan), while her
mother was behind bars, young Alexis has grown into an affectionate young girl
eager to reconnect with the mother she has never met. Though Sherry at first
seems determined to stay on the straight and narrow, increasingly infrequent
visits to Alexis and a troubling revelation about her family past soon begin to
lead the protective Lynette to take a stand in protecting the vulnerable
youngster. Later, when compassionate 12-step veteran Dean (Danny Trejo) makes an
effort to help Sherry become the mother she longs to be, the troubled ex-con is
faced with the choice of truly living up to her word or potentially losing her
daughter forever. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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