Tom Holland and Joe and Anthony Russo have joined forces once more, but this time for a project quite different from their Marvel work. Adapted from Nico Walker’s book, “Cherry” tells a compelling story broken into segments that each showcase a distinct style and period in the main character's life. Holland portrays a young man searching for purpose. He meets Emily (Ciara Bravo), and they quickly begin a relationship, which is presented as a traditional romance, allowing viewers to get acquainted with their world. When Emily decides to move to Montreal for school and to leave her problems behind, Cherry spirals downward and joins the Army hoping to escape his pain and find direction. The film takes a significant turn at this point; Emily and Cherry reunite and marry, but he’s also facing military service that will separate them. The movie then shifts into a war story as Cherry goes through Basic Training and is deployed to Afghanistan as a medic. The experiences he endures during his two years in the service deeply traumatize him, and he returns home to Emily with severe PTSD, which complicates their lives and relationship. The film continues by depicting a descent into depression and drug addiction; both Cherry and Emily become heavily involved with drugs, leading Cherry to desperate measures to support their habit, including bank robbery. Despite the film’s dark and depressing tone, there's an underlying sense of hope because the connection between Emily and Cherry endures despite facing extraordinary challenges. The story's honesty and harshness are emphasized by the fact that it is based on a true account from the life of Nico Walker. Films like “The Deer Hunter,” “Coming Home,” and “Born on the 4th of July” have previously explored the difficulties faced by veterans, highlighting the struggles Vietnam Vets experienced after their service. While "Cherry" focuses on a more recent conflict, it underscores how veterans continue to struggle in getting the support they need as many return damaged and unable to resume normal lives. Holland and Bravo share believable chemistry, and the narrative remains captivating throughout. Seeing Holland in a much more mature and darker role demonstrates his versatility and ability to take on diverse parts. Joe and Anthony Russo successfully transitioned from their recent Marvel films to this deeply personal and troubling story; their ability to blend genres across the film’s segments reveals them to be skilled filmmakers with a promising future. “Cherry” is likely to appear during the next awards season, making it a must-see film available on Apple TV on March 12th and in cinemas on February 26th. 4.5 stars out of 5

Source on TMDB