I’ve been a supporter of Apple TV+ since seeing *Servant*. It's genuinely one of the most underrated streaming services, especially where I live. Even though I’ve only watched a handful of films—*Wolfwalkers*, *Palmer*, and *On the Rocks*—they all set my expectations high for *Cherry*. I always look forward to seeing what the Russo Brothers do outside of their work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, given how well they handled those big superhero projects. Casting Tom Holland in the lead role made it one of the most anticipated films of early 2021. One of the Russo Brothers’ strengths is their ability to weave together multiple storylines and characters without disrupting the film's rhythm, tone, or structure. They tend to favor a “more is more” approach, which usually works well in action-packed genres like superhero movies. However, with a smaller movie like *Cherry*, combining different genres and narratives ultimately undermines the central story. What begins as a sweet romance evolves into a war action film before settling into a slow, monotonous plot about drug addiction, PTSD, and bank robberies. These three narrative threads have been explored in countless films throughout cinema history. It’s not that they can't be combined, but Angela Russo-Otstot and Jessica Goldberg’s script needed more refinement. The first half of the film is quite engaging and enjoyable. Cherry (Tom Holland) and Emily (Ciara Bravo) develop a believable emotional connection, making his decision to join the army feel plausible. This genre shift works well tonally, and the war storyline itself is worth watching. This section showcases the directors' talents, with high production values creating exciting action sequences enhanced by Newton Thomas Sigel’s dynamic camera work. Marvel fans will appreciate this subplot, but the film's biggest problem arises in the second half. An abrupt shift in genre leads to a decline as *Cherry* gets bogged down in sensitive topics. The pace slows considerably, and the tone becomes bleak, leading Cherry and Emily through a repetitive and predictable story about drug addiction. Adding PTSD and uninspired bank robberies only compounds the issues. The film feels like an opportunity for the Russo Brothers to demonstrate their technical skills with a smaller budget. While they succeed in showing off their abilities behind the camera, it's something they didn’t need to prove to audiences who simply want to see a movie with a strong story and well-developed characters, not be distracted by unnecessary visual flourishes. Amidst the directing and writing issues, Tom Holland delivers what is arguably his best performance yet. I think he could realistically contend for an Oscar by the end of the decade. At 26 years old, Holland displays impressive emotional range, particularly when portraying intense feelings. Combined with a convincing physical transformation, he proves himself to be a versatile actor. This role allows him to stretch his acting abilities, performing challenging scenes that viewers will find difficult to watch due to his complete commitment. Ciara Bravo initially seems like just another pretty face, but the problematic second half actually gives her a chance to shine and improve her performance. She’s surprisingly good, especially considering her limited experience in feature films. *Cherry* is undeniably flawed, but it manages to hold together thanks to an engaging first half, Holland's standout performance, and generally strong visuals. The frustrating combination of genres likely stems from the script’s shortcomings, but the Russo Brothers’ desire to showcase their directing style also hurts the film. There's excessive use of slow motion, a score (by Henry Jackman) that is good in itself but poorly utilized, and numerous camera angles that, while visually striking, distract from the story. The first part has an appealing and entertaining narrative featuring an authentic love story and a war drama with impressive action sequences. However, the second half significantly slows down and shifts to a depressing tone, leading viewers into a tiresome and formulaic storyline. Despite all this, Holland’s powerful performance will keep audiences engaged until the very end, elevating every scene. Bravo complements him well, delivering a surprising portrayal. Overall, I do recommend it, even though my expectations were higher given the talent involved. Rating: B-

Source on TMDB