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Movies: Cherry (2021) by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo: A War on Two Fronts

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Aug 26
  • 7 min read

Trend: The "Post-War Trauma and Addiction". This trend in filmmaking focuses on the psychological and emotional aftermath of military service, particularly the struggles of veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. It aims to shed light on a often-overlooked and difficult reality for many returning soldiers.

  • Realistic Portrayals: Films in this trend often strive for gritty realism in their depiction of combat, its psychological impact, and the nitty-gritty of addiction.

  • Non-linear Narratives: The fragmented and confusing nature of trauma and addiction is often reflected in the film's structure, which may jump between different time periods.

  • Social Commentary: These movies serve as a form of social commentary, raising awareness about the inadequate support systems for veterans and the broader societal issues contributing to the opioid crisis.

About: The Soldier's Struggle Cherry is a film that defies easy categorization. While it has elements of a war film, a crime drama, and a romance, its core is a character study of a young man’s battle against himself and the forces that have broken him. It’s a story of love, loss, and the desperate search for meaning in a world that has lost its color.

Short Summary: Descent into Darkness The movie follows a young man from a middle-class Cleveland family who, after a tumultuous relationship and directionless life, enlists in the army. He serves as a medic in Iraq, where he witnesses horrific events that leave him with severe PTSD. Upon returning home, he struggles to reintegrate into civilian life and turns to heroin to numb his pain. His addiction spirals out of control, leading him and his wife into a life of bank robberies to fund their habit.

Detailed Summary: A Life Divided into Chapters The film is divided into six chapters, each with its own distinct tone and aesthetic, mirroring the protagonist's journey.

  • Chapter 1: When I Was A Freshman: Cherry's life before the military is shown, highlighting his aimlessness and his passionate, yet complicated, relationship with Emily.

  • Chapter 2: When I Was A Senior: His experience as an army medic is depicted in a chaotic and disorienting manner, reflecting the horror and confusion of combat. The chapter shows the initial seeds of his trauma.

  • Chapter 3: When I Got Home: The film shows his return to civilian life and his immediate struggle with PTSD, including panic attacks and insomnia.

  • Chapter 4: When I Got High: The descent into addiction is graphically shown, as he and Emily turn to drugs to escape their pain.

  • Chapter 5: When I Robbed Banks: The desperation of their addiction leads them to a life of crime, as they begin robbing banks.

  • Chapter 6: Where I Am Now: The final chapter shows the culmination of his actions and a glimpse of his life after his criminal career, grappling with the consequences of his choices.

Director's Vision: The Unflinching Gaze of Trauma The Russo brothers, known for their work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, took a sharp turn with Cherry, aiming for a more personal and visceral filmmaking style.

  • Style over Narrative: The film is intentionally stylized, using a variety of cinematic techniques—from distorted camera work to changes in aspect ratio and color grading—to visually represent Cherry's fractured mental state. They prioritize showing the character’s internal world over a simple linear narrative.

  • A "Messed Up" Story: They have stated their goal was to tell a "fked up story about a fked up character" in a way that feels authentic and doesn't shy away from the ugliness of addiction and trauma. They aimed to provoke a reaction and a conversation.

  • Humanizing the Unsavory: The directors sought to humanize a character who makes terrible choices, showing the audience the "why" behind his actions, even if they can't condone them. The goal was to build empathy for a character who is a victim of his circumstances.

Themes: The Cost of War and a Broken System

  • PTSD and Trauma: The film is a deep dive into the lasting psychological wounds of war. It shows how the unseen injuries of PTSD can be just as, if not more, destructive than physical ones.

  • Addiction as a Disease: Cherry presents addiction not as a moral failing but as a disease, a coping mechanism for unbearable pain. The movie portrays the cycle of addiction—the highs, the lows, the desperation—with brutal honesty.

  • The American Dream's Failure: The movie subtly critiques the broken systems in place for veterans and the lack of support for those struggling with mental health and addiction, suggesting that for many, the "American Dream" is a distant and unattainable reality.

  • Love as a Double-Edged Sword: The relationship between Cherry and Emily is central to the film. Their love is both a source of comfort and a catalyst for their shared destruction, as they enable each other's addiction.

Key Success Factors: A Gritty, Unflinching Look

  • Tom Holland's Performance: Tom Holland's transformative and intense performance is widely considered a key success factor. He completely sheds his "Spider-Man" persona to deliver a raw and empathetic portrayal of a man consumed by his demons.

  • The Russo Brothers' Bold Direction: The film's stylistic choices, while polarizing, are what make it stand out. The Russo brothers’ willingness to experiment and create a film that feels both personal and visually unique gives it a memorable quality.

  • Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: The film tackles two of the most pressing issues in contemporary America: the opioid epidemic and the mental health crisis among veterans. Its relevance contributes to its impact.

Awards and Nominations: Recognition for a Difficult Portrayal Despite its polarizing reception, Cherry received several nominations, largely for Tom Holland’s performance. The film was recognized at the Golden Schmoes Awards for Best Actor of the Year. It also received nominations from the Critics Choice Super Awards and the Hollywood Critics Association.

Critics Reception: A Divisive but Noticed Film

  • Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a 37% "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that while it features a great performance from Tom Holland, its "overstuffed" and "stylistically erratic" nature detracts from the emotional weight of its subject matter.

  • Metacritic: The film has a score of 44 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Critics often praised Holland's performance but found the film's narrative structure and stylistic choices to be a hindrance.

  • The New York Times: A.O. Scott’s review called the film "a punishing ordeal," noting that while it has moments of power, it "labors to make a point that could have been made more effectively."

  • Overall Summary: The critical reception for Cherry was largely divided. While almost all critics universally praised Tom Holland’s performance as a career-defining turn, many found the Russo brothers’ ambitious and overly stylized direction to be a major flaw. The film was often criticized for its self-indulgent style, which some felt overshadowed the serious themes it was trying to explore.

Reviews: Holland's Star Power Shines

  • Empire Magazine: The review highlights Tom Holland’s performance as "career-best," noting that he "puts in the kind of gruelling, committed performance that is sure to earn him awards buzz." The review, however, finds the film itself to be a "flawed but fascinating" portrait of a man’s decline.

  • The Guardian: The Guardian review gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, praising Holland's "fearless" performance but ultimately concluding that the movie "loses its way" by focusing too much on its stylish ambition and not enough on its emotional core.

  • Overall Summary: The audience and critic reviews are a mix of praise for Tom Holland’s dedication and criticism for the film's overly ambitious and at times disjointed style. Many found the movie to be a difficult and intense watch, but acknowledged its importance in tackling a tough subject.

Why to watch this movie: A Challenging but Important Film

  • Tom Holland's Performance: This is the primary reason to watch Cherry. It’s a showcase of a young actor's immense talent and his willingness to take on a complex, challenging role.

  • A Different Side of the Russo Brothers: For fans of the Russo brothers, this film offers a fascinating look at their abilities outside of the blockbuster genre, showing their versatility and artistic ambition.

  • A Conversation Starter: The film is a powerful and necessary conversation starter about the struggles of veterans and the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. It is a raw and unflinching look at a difficult reality.

Movie Trend: The Gritty "Veteran's Journey" Film Cherry follows the trend of "gritty veteran's journey" films that have emerged in recent years. These films, such as The Hurt Locker and American Sniper, move beyond simple patriotic narratives to explore the complex psychological toll of war on individuals. They are often characterized by their realistic portrayal of combat, their focus on PTSD, and their exploration of the challenges of returning to civilian life.

Social Trend: The Opioid Crisis in American Cinema The film is deeply intertwined with the social trend of the opioid crisis, which has become a significant topic in American media. Movies and television shows are increasingly exploring the human cost of this epidemic, showing its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Cherry directly addresses this trend by making heroin addiction a central theme, highlighting how it can be a symptom of a larger societal illness.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Powerful Experience Cherry is a deeply polarizing film. While its ambitious and at times scattered storytelling can be a hindrance, it is a brave and important film elevated by a truly transformative performance from Tom Holland. It is not an easy or enjoyable watch, but it is a powerful and memorable one that successfully shines a light on some of the most pressing issues facing society today. It is a testament to the fact that not all stories are neat and clean, and sometimes, the most important ones are the messiest.


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