Synopsis:
The wild journey of a disenfranchised young man from Ohio who meets the love of his life, only to risk losing her through a series of bad decisions and challenging life circumstances.
It’s simultaneously amazing and terrifying that one not-so-thought-out decision can drastically alter the trajectory of your life. You could argue predetermination, but that’s a whole other article. Simply saying yes to something or someone can potentially lead you down a path to the White House or to skid row. Have you ever witnessed a fatal car accident right before your eyes and wondered if it would’ve been you had you not let that person in front of you? Or if you didn’t insist on having the last word, maybe you’d still be in that relationship. These types of scenarios constantly run rampant through my mind and are present in your daily life whether you’re aware or not. Hopefully, you make the right choice.
“At first we said we’d get a dog, and we wouldn’t be dope fiends. But we stayed dope fiends, so now we’re just dope fiends with a dog.”
Based on a novel of the same name, Cherry is a crime drama full of fourth-wall-breaking narration, drugs, guns, and bank robberies. Crafted by the minds of the Russo Brothers’, the ideas are huge as is the star power of its leading man. However, Spidey couldn’t save the day this time. While the film is full of amazing potential, the final product ultimately feels disjointed and incomplete. The film begins very energetically and creatively as we get a bit of foreshadowing that sets up the question, how did it come to this? The story moved with a swagger and a twinkle in its eye. Broken up into chapters like a novel, the story begins to have abrupt tone switches and its titular character seems like a different person during each one. The only constant is the introspective narration. There is a multitude of entertaining scenes, hilariously vulgar one-liners, real moments, and a glance at an unfortunate reality for soldiers and those who fall into addiction.
Nevertheless, whatever feelings of empathy you have may disappear as you never get a chance to fully digest all that’s happened. The film eventually felt like they attempted to cram a full season of Shameless into 140 minutes. There’s plenty to enjoy about the film in pieces but as a whole, it’s not completely cohesive. The cinematography is well done; there are some standout shots, I enjoyed the dialogue, but the highlight is the acting. Overall, I think this is a film that will leave most conflicted on whether they like it or not. It’s rewatchability is medium.
Plot & Pace
After the love of his life, Emily decides she is moving to Montreal, in a fit of rage, Cherry decides to join the army. She later changes her mind but it’s too late and it’s off to war for Cherry. Surviving off of will and the love of his lady, he makes it home with all his limbs. Things seem fine initially but he then begins to suffer from PTSD. After not being able to sleep or fully function, he starts popping pills to numb himself but soon becomes addicted. Not being able to deal with it all, Emily does too. When the pills aren’t enough, the couple moves on to hard drugs in their downward spiral. Now full-on junkies, needing money just to score more drugs, Cherry resorts to robbing banks. He not only is jeopardizing his safety and the safety of others but risks losing his wife.
The film’s pace changes multiple times and rather abruptly. Even with it being separated by chapters, it doesn’t always feel very cohesive.
Characters & Chemistry
Tom Holland continues to impress, reminding us that he’s more than Spider-Man. However, even his superpowered efforts couldn’t save this film. Ciara Bravo’s performance as Emily paired perfectly with Holland’s. There was a true spark between the two that could’ve been explored more. Jack Reynor, the Irish Seth Rogen appears as a drug dealer named Pills & Coke who strikes fear into no one until he mentions Black (Daniel R. Hill). We don’t get to see much of Hill but when we do, we see why he may be a tad scary. Lastly, to my delight and surprise, TikTok’s favorite voiceover actor and food reviewer with the richest voice, Stefan Johnson makes a small appearance to make sure Tom’s character keeps his hands to himself. Oh yea, and a Major Payne reference, you’ll know when you see it.
Cherry release in select theaters, today, February 26th, and then globally on Apple TV+ on March 12th, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.
Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
Writers: Angela Russo-Otstot, Jessica Goldberg, Nico Walker (author)
Producers: Jake Aust, Chris Castaldi, Jonathan Gray, Mike Larocca, John Parker, Matthew Rhodes
Executive Producers: Kristy Grisham, Judd Payne, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, Edward Cheng, Patrick Newall, Angela Russo-Otstot, Todd Makurath, Dan Kaplow, Nico Walker, Matthew Johnson
Rated: R
Runtime: 2h 20m
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
