A woman (Julianne Nicholson) released from prison after serving ten years for manslaughter and the young lawyer (Emma Roberts) representing her in a custody battle for her son are the protagonists of this astonishing drama from writer-director Matthew Newton, asking who deserves redemption and who should decide. The narrative runs on two tracks that eventually collide. In the more interesting of them, the hardened ex-convict fights to convince others—especially her sister and brother-in-law, the child’s legal guardians—that she deserves a second chance; meanwhile the lawyer balances the pressures of her pro-bono firm against the demands of her wealthy, vacuous mother (Lea Thompson). Though similar in plot to the 2006 indie Sherrybaby, this Brooklyn-set drama owes more in tone and style to the searing character studies of John Cassavetes. With memorable supporting performances from Zachary Quinto, Jimmy Smits, and Jason Biggs.
Who We Are Now
NR • 1 hour 35 min • 2018
