MAGGIE Secretary Gyllenhaal continues her flair for tricky roles with this unrestrained, complex performance as an exjunkie trying to win her daughter back. Fresh out of prison, Sherry Swanson (Gyllenhaal) wants to reconnect with her young daughter who has been brought up in her absence by her brother Bobby (Brad William Henke), and his wife Lynette (Bridget Barkan). Maternal jealousies spark as Sherry has to learn that being a mother isn't just about turning up. She struggles too to restrain her impulses, having problems with alcohol, drugs and easy promiscuity. Gyllenhaal is utterly engaging: shameless to the point of honesty. Director Laurie Collyer, who previously made documentaries, instils a patience in the viewer for small moments of insight. Some of these achieve startling impact.

There is an intimation of previous child abuse from Sherry's father, but the film is careful not to make Sherry a victim: instead, it forces her to seek her own solutions. There are a few facile plot predictions, but it's an impressive debut film.