Cherry

"Cherry" from 2021 is an intense, riveting, and deeply personal drama that traces the life of a young man from Ohio, portrayed by the talented Tom Holland, whose name is not revealed and in known only as Cherry. The movie is a drastic departure from Holland's youthful portrayals in the Spiderman franchise, showcasing his wide acting range with an emotionally demanding role.

The film follows the tumultuous life of Cherry as he navigates love, war, addiction, and crime. Cherry's life isn't presented in a linear fashion. Instead, the movie is divided into chapters, each focusing on significant periods of his life, engaging the audience in an emotional roller coaster ride that is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.

In the capable hands of directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, best known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Cherry" paints a compelling and empathetic portrait of a man grappling with the traumas of life. This semi-autobiographical drama is based on Nico Walker's novel of the same name, and it dives deep into the harsh realities faced by many in contemporary American society.

Cherry falls in love with a beautiful young woman named Emily, brilliantly played by Ciara Bravo. Their shared chemistry blossoms into a genuine tragic love story. Emily serves as a strong counterbalance to Cherry, epitomizing the pain, strength, and complexity of standing by a loved one battling addiction.

The movie delves deeply into the horror of war when Cherry, hurt by the burgeoning separation between him and Emily, enlists in the army and gets deployed to Iraq. These sequences are gripping and heart-wrenching, showcasing the physical and mental torture soldiers undergo in war zones, which inform Cherry's later struggles with PTSD.

The movie takes an even darker turn when Cherry, carrying the weight of war trauma, starts leaning on opioids (namely OxyContin and heroin) as a crutch to escape his inner demons, which starts his downward spiral into addiction. The part peers deeply into the brutal and shattering world of drug addiction, showing a menace that has decimated a whole generation of youth.

"Cherry" doesn't spare its viewers. Both the war and addiction sequences are raw and unflinching in their portrayal, shedding light on the harsh realities of modern society. Here, the Russo brothers use their storytelling and cinematic abilities to put forth a film that doesn't shy away from the issues it's presenting.

Meanwhile, the film also dives into the world of crime when Cherry, in his desperation, turns to robbing banks to finance his drug habits. The movie goes beyond just the chase sequences and dives deep into the psychological turmoil of a man pushed to the edge. The narrative does an exceptional job engaging the audience in Cherry's predicament, making you feel sympathy for him, despite his actions.

In "Cherry," Tom Holland delivers a power-packed performance that showcases his talents beyond the realm of superhero flicks. His depiction of a handful man—lovestruck, war-torn, and drug-addicted—is nothing short of phenomenal. Equally impressive is Ciara Bravo's portrayal of Emily, who mirrors Cherry's descent into addiction. The relationship between the two delineates the destructive ripple effects of drug abuse, even on those who aren't using.

The supporting cast, including Jack Reynor, Kelli Berglund, Thomas Lennon, among others, also put forth strong and believable performances that complement the leads and add depth to the overall narrative.

The movie is cinematically wonderfully crafted. The Russo brothers' use of different filmmaking techniques for each phase in Cherry's life helps to create a distinct feel for each chapter, leading to an impressive visual design. The set designs and cinematography present an authentic, gritty look at suburban American life.

"Cherry" might be a hard watch due to its heavy and profoundly emotional subject matter. However, the combination of gripping storytelling, skillful direction, and stellar performances make it a highly potent film that showcases a stark view of social issues often ignored by mainstream cinema. It is a sincere and poignant depiction of how personal and collective trauma can lead an average Joe down a path of self-destruction.