Washington, Jan 19 : Singer Mariah Carey is hoping that her emotionally wrenching role in new film `Push' will establish her as a serious actress.

The `Hero' hitmaker received flak by movie reviewers after her 2001 debut film `Glitter' turned out to be a big box office debacle.

And now, the 38-year-old crooner is making her big-screen return in the drama, where she is playing the role of a welfare case worker looking after a teen-mum coping with her abusive childhood.

"(My character) Mrs. Weiss is sort of the eyes of the audience, the people who don''t know anybody like this in their lives," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"Yes it''s her job ... but even someone who goes through that every day and sees these horrific things, she hears something that changes her.

"I was just glued to this book when I read it in, I guess ''98, and it stays with you," she added.

Based on a best-selling novel, Carey's emotional comeback was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

And now, filmmakers are reportedly in talks with studios to find a distributor for `Push'. (ANI)