How I felt about it. Sherry is an enigma. She is unceasingly kind to children, especially her own young daughter, Alexis (Ryan Simpkins), who has been adopted by Sherry's sympathetic brother, Bobby (Brad William Henke), and his somewhat peckish wife, Lynette (Bridget Barkan). But Sherry runs hot and cold with adults. She wants to play nice, but she is overly sensitive, and if she feels she is treated unfairly, she shows the angry tough side that probably helped land her in prison.
Sherry's temper gets the best of her when she encounters a woman bully, such as the intimidating lesbian at the halfway house, or the strident mother at the fast food restaurant. She also is easily frustrated with Lynette, the gatekeeper of her access to Alexis. Lynette is simply being protective of Alexis, but it is impossible for Sherry not to take it personally.
Sherry seldom gets angry with men, perhaps because she feels can use her charm with them. The charm won't work, however, on her tough-love parole office, Hernandez (Giancarlo Esposito). Hernandez has seen too many paroled drug addicts, and knows what they will do to get what they want. He also knows that they usually end up back in prison, a fate he is reluctant to impose upon Sherry, who appears to have good intentions despite her emotional problems.
Sherry needs Alexis more than she loves her. Sherry's craving for love, particularly from Alexis, is a sign of her immaturity. Sherry doesn't strive to prove herself worthy of love. Instead, she wants it unconditionally. This inevitably leads to heartbreak, since love, like respect, must be earned.
Sherry's best hope for the future rests not in Alexis, but with her boyfriend, Dean (Danny Trejo). Dean is a recovered addict and alcoholic whose dislike for drugs may help keep Sherry clean. Dean is not above using Sherry for sex, but he is also a realist, unlike Sherry, and he is never bitter. If and when things go wrong, he looks in the mirror to find the cause. Sherry is too quick to blame others.
How others will see it. As one would expect from its subject matter, SherryBaby is not for children or prudes. The f-word is bandied about recklessly, and there is nudity, sex, and fondling. But for those who enjoy looking at an emotive half-dressed hottie, SherryBaby is for you, and is also recommended to those who can identify with young mothers or recovering addicts.