CHERRY – Rated R
DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
WRITERS: Angela Russo-Ostot, Jessica Goldberg – Based on a novel by Nico Walker
STARRING: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, Jack Reynor, Michael Rispoli, Jeff Wahlberg, Forrest Goodluck, Michael Gandolfini, Daniel R. Hill, Fionn O’Shea and Ann Russo
Who knew the movie-making tag team of Anthony and Joe Russo [the brothers who created such fabulous Marvel movies as Captain America (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: End Game (2019)] could yield such a fabulous, semi-autobiographical film, based on the novel of the same name by Nico Walker? But yet, here we are…
Brazenly raw, emotionally charged, and authentic to its core, Cherry takes us through the many chapters of a young man’s life. It starts with his days in college and finding Emily (Ciara Bravo), his one true love, to the solace, pain and torment he must endure as a medic in the Iraqi War, returning home to a hero’s welcome in Cleveland, but unable to escape the PTSD that consumes him. And as this life of addiction not only consumes him, but his wife, Emily too. It isn’t long before Cherry’s best-laid plans for their lives take a detour, as he turns to robbing banks to support them, and he finds himself left with no other option.
When you finally come down off the rollercoaster of emotions you will find yourself in with Cherry, you’ll realize the Russo Brothers managed to create their most fabulous film to date, as they bring Nico Walker’s Cherry to life with the outstanding and multi-dimensional performance they extract from Tom Holland, in this leading role. Tom is so amazing, viewers definitely know he's bringing his A-game to this incredibly moving and Oscar-worthy performance.
Ciara Bravo gives an exceptional performance, too, as the chemistry between Tom and her is undeniable throughout every inch of this film.
Hitting in theaters on Feb. 26, and streaming on AppleTV+ starting March 12, Cherry is one of those incredible crime drama films that's a definite must-see. It ended up being my pick for the No. 1 film of 2020.
*****