Film: Cherry
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
Director: Anthony & Joe Russo
Streaming: Apple tv+
Review: Klep Napier
Ratings: 3X’s out of 5X’s
Forget what you think you know about Marvels boy wonder ladies and gentlemen, Tom Holland is no one trick pony! The Russo Brothers, most famously known for their contribution to The Marvel Cinematic Universe with Captain America: The Winter Solider and Avengers Infinity War/End Game, are back and they’ve brought along an Avenger to tap into a much darker side of himself with the Apple TV exclusive, Cherry.
Cherry follows an Army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who through, hardship and questionable choices, becomes a serial bank robber to fuel his growing drug addiction and climb out of debt.
Listen folks this thing works because Holland simply delivers. Alongside his co-star Ciara Bravo, the two take us on a journey through love, heartbreak, loss and how some people simply can or cannot deal with the cards they’ve been dealt. A lot of real life growth and even more of real life trauma. If we had to compare this film, we’d say think Full Metal Jacket meets Basketball Diaries.
The sad thing about this film is that a lot of it just feels like shock value. Although Holland and Bravo are a match made in “hell” there is a bit of an emotional disconnect. You are merely enjoying the ride not for the emotional attachment, but much like our protagonist, to indulge in the thrill ride. This film starts slow with careful meaning, then kicks into gear driving and delivering a ton of thrills with Holland behind the wheel only half way through.
Overall seeing Holland flexing his acting chops in such a dark story was unexpected to say the least, but still worth watching him grown on the screen. Where it will make you cringe is how far these characters are willing to go in order to feel comfortable in their own skin, it will make you respect the young actor for stepping away from the box which most Marvel fans are use to seeing him. Give this film a fair watch, but put the kiddies to bed first!
Cherry is available to stream on Apple TV +