Adam Salky’s I Smile Back upholds the proud tradition of movies that leave you needing a drink. A faithful adaptation of Amy Koppelman’s 2008 novel of the same name, the film is a brutal and devastatingly honest look at the crushing nature of addiction and depression. Sarah Silverman destroys any doubts about her dramatic abilities in her portrayal of Laney Brooks, a married mother of two, adulteress, alcoholic and cocaine addict. Through the patience of her loving husband Bruce (Josh Charles), rehab efforts, and the threat to the innocence of her children (played by Skylar Gaertner and Shayne Coleman), Laney remains uncontrollably a slave to her vices. With her family on the line, she makes a final attempt to get to the roots of her evil.

Much like the title character in 2015 festival favorite Krisha, Laney Brooks is a damaged character you pull for despite her despicable behavior, and it breaks your heart with disappointment to watch her time and time again revert back to her destructive ways. It’s a difficult task for an actress to straddle the line between love and hate but Silverman dominates that challenge. Not a shred of her comic self is visible in this stripped-down and extremely brave effort. Josh Charles' sympathetic turn as Bruce is just as nuanced and heartfelt as Silverman’s. As Laney’s actions veer closer to irredeemable, it is her resiliently patient husband who often reflects the emotions of the viewer. You are hopeful along with him when Laney returns home from rehab, and share his frustration when she relapses into the same behavior.

Despite all the turmoil that fills the screen, Salky maintains a quiet and emotionally restrained tone. Rather than have his scenes turn into shouting matches, the director keeps emotions boiling under the surface until their proper time to emerge. Glances of disappointment, rage, hope and confusion protect the film from ever falling into melodrama. With every forced smile that appears on Laney’s face, the film’s namesake becomes painfully clear. Her smiles are a façade and it gets increasingly difficult to empathize with her. Anchored by a tremendous performance by Sarah Silverman and a dark uncompromising script, I Smile Back paints a heartbreaking portrait that's difficult to watch, yet begs to be seen.