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A single mother (Charlize Theron) struggling to get her life together reaches out to her younger brother (Nick Stahl) for help, then winds up abandoning her 11-year-old daughter (AnnaSophia Robb) in his care. That’s a responsibility for which he seems thoroughly unprepared.

Big question: Can visual effects specialist William Maher, who’s making his directorial debut here, handle a sensitive family drama that is entirely grounded in reality?

Catch it: Theron is the big name and delivers a searing portrayal of a woman too selfish to be a good mother, but screen time is limited and by no means the film’s focus. The real reason to check out “Sleepwalking” is for the unique bond developed between her daughter and younger brother, which proves that an uncle/niece relationship can be just as affecting as any other family bond.

Skip it: Dennis Hopper’s brief turn as Stahl and Theron’s abusive father goes a little over the top, causing an uncomfortable reminder of his classic villain in “Blue Velvet.”

Bottom line: There’s an inescapable sense that we’ve seen this sort of dysfunctional family indie drama before, but the well-acted, well-made and emotionally resonant “Sleepwalking” ultimately emerges as a solid example of the genre. It’s also an especially good showcase for Stahl, who cuts straight to the core of a wounded young man who simply wants to give his niece the support that he never had himself.

Bonus: Woody Harrelson has a small role as Stahl’s pothead co-worker. We don’t want to make any crazy assumptions but we’re guessing he enjoyed the “research.”

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