Cherrybomb is a great film for anyone who likes, drama, comedy, a bit of romance, and a burst of reality.
Though the story revolves around three 16-year-olds, this is not your typical teen movie! Cherrybomb deals with real, emotional, and even sometimes violent themes that are the harsh realities of teen life today. It's the story of Malachy and Luke, two very close, very cheeky best mates who are after a girl, Michelle. While the idea sounds easy enough, the directors gave it a new twist and make this seemingly simple plot, complicated and spectacular.
Malachy McKinney, who is played by Rupert Grint, is a very confident and cheeky bloke. He's fierce and very curious. However, Malachy isn't just about sex and girls though, no, he's very smart and is quite frankly a good guy. Malachy has a clean and comfortable family life. He makes good grades and keeps out of trouble for the most part. He even has a job. Malachy has a heart, and he's not afraid to express his feelings right there for people to see. Rupert Grint did a fantastic job making Malachy's style and swagger his own. This role is the first time we get to see Rupert step out of the box and show his range.
Luke, who is played by Robert Sheehan, does not have the sweet and wholesome life Malachy does. Luke is the trouble maker. Causing mayhem runs in his veins. Luke is so extreme and spastic that you wonder how he's friends with Malachy. Luke's home life is no fantasy island. His father is an alcoholic. He's always drunk and isn't what a bloke needs as a father figure and his brother, is a drug dealer and is also violent. Robert is believable as Luke. Though Luke is a bit extreme Robert does not take it to a place that makes it seem forced. He also did a fantastic job bringing in the laughs. He's comedic timing was brilliant.
Michelle, played by Kimberley Nixon, comes to the Leisureplex where Malachy works. Luke and Malachy find out she's the daughter of Crilly, who just happens to be Malachy's boss. Luke is known to get the girls and Mal has less luck, but he seems okay with it, until now. You can tell right away that Malachy is intrigued and will fall for her, but of course Luke thinks it's a great idea for a game. It's a game to see who will get her first. Kimberely is perfect for Michelle. She brings this sweetness that makes you love her character and feel sorry for her story, but she's actually quite a tease and plays the naughty puppet master very well. Kim also did a good job of adding a bit of flare to the typical "heroine" role.
And so the game begins! It's a constant competition for Michelle's affection and it changes the Malachy/Luke dynamic. Before Michelle arrives, the two blokes would always hang together. Now, it's all about who will get Michelle first. Luke wants Michelle for sex. He wants to prove he's better. With no real emotional attachment to Michelle, he tried to use drugs and his "player" words to win her over, but Mal is nothing of the sort. Malachy actually has feelings for her and wants Michelle. He plays the romantic. Michelle tries to seem like she doesn't care. She tries to ignore it. She herself has been ignored by her dad, but it's obvious her heart flutters a bit at Malachy's kindness and affection.
It becomes a complicated situation. Luke is also mad at Malachy for wanting Michelle so badly, but I think it's more because he wants his best mate all to himself. Luke tries to get Malachy to leave Michelle alone, but the poor guy is too in love. He will do anything for Michelle and she uses that.
As the movie moves on, things become more complicated. Luke becomes more jealous and enraged. He starts to become very annoyed with Michelle and Malachy stands by her when they argue. This in turns leads to more trouble. And the end of the movie finally catches up to the beginning and we find out why Malachy was so bloody and dazed at the start of the film.
Overall, the movie was fantastic and easy enough to understand, but the complexity and dynamic of the characters gives it a unique spin. There was no need for extra flash. The look of the film is really artsy and simple and the music was brilliant! This movie is all about the emotion and personalities of the characters and how they all relate to each other. It's not your typical romance. Malachy and Michelle are not your typical romantic and love seeking couple and Luke and Malachy aren't your typical best friends. Rupert and Rob are gorgeous and funny on screen together and really make you believe they've been best friends for years. Kim brings a fresh take on "the girl". Michelle doesn't act like the nice girl; she knows she's a bit of a vixen and Kim makes you believe it. She worked well with Robert and especially Rupert. They chemistry is incredible.
The directors did a magnificent job with the violence, language and drugs. It was enough to make it dramatic, but not too much to make it unbelievable. I will say that partially the drug side of the story was well done. The teens get high and get really blasted in this movie, but it's tastefully done and is realistic.
Cherrybomb is an amazing film that I think teens and early adults alike will love and relate to. It's fresh, exciting, and jam packed with jaw dropping moments and gut busting humour. Anyone who wants to see a great film, see Cherrybomb!
Though the story revolves around three 16-year-olds, this is not your typical teen movie! Cherrybomb deals with real, emotional, and even sometimes violent themes that are the harsh realities of teen life today. It's the story of Malachy and Luke, two very close, very cheeky best mates who are after a girl, Michelle. While the idea sounds easy enough, the directors gave it a new twist and make this seemingly simple plot, complicated and spectacular.
Malachy McKinney, who is played by Rupert Grint, is a very confident and cheeky bloke. He's fierce and very curious. However, Malachy isn't just about sex and girls though, no, he's very smart and is quite frankly a good guy. Malachy has a clean and comfortable family life. He makes good grades and keeps out of trouble for the most part. He even has a job. Malachy has a heart, and he's not afraid to express his feelings right there for people to see. Rupert Grint did a fantastic job making Malachy's style and swagger his own. This role is the first time we get to see Rupert step out of the box and show his range.
Luke, who is played by Robert Sheehan, does not have the sweet and wholesome life Malachy does. Luke is the trouble maker. Causing mayhem runs in his veins. Luke is so extreme and spastic that you wonder how he's friends with Malachy. Luke's home life is no fantasy island. His father is an alcoholic. He's always drunk and isn't what a bloke needs as a father figure and his brother, is a drug dealer and is also violent. Robert is believable as Luke. Though Luke is a bit extreme Robert does not take it to a place that makes it seem forced. He also did a fantastic job bringing in the laughs. He's comedic timing was brilliant.
Michelle, played by Kimberley Nixon, comes to the Leisureplex where Malachy works. Luke and Malachy find out she's the daughter of Crilly, who just happens to be Malachy's boss. Luke is known to get the girls and Mal has less luck, but he seems okay with it, until now. You can tell right away that Malachy is intrigued and will fall for her, but of course Luke thinks it's a great idea for a game. It's a game to see who will get her first. Kimberely is perfect for Michelle. She brings this sweetness that makes you love her character and feel sorry for her story, but she's actually quite a tease and plays the naughty puppet master very well. Kim also did a good job of adding a bit of flare to the typical "heroine" role.
And so the game begins! It's a constant competition for Michelle's affection and it changes the Malachy/Luke dynamic. Before Michelle arrives, the two blokes would always hang together. Now, it's all about who will get Michelle first. Luke wants Michelle for sex. He wants to prove he's better. With no real emotional attachment to Michelle, he tried to use drugs and his "player" words to win her over, but Mal is nothing of the sort. Malachy actually has feelings for her and wants Michelle. He plays the romantic. Michelle tries to seem like she doesn't care. She tries to ignore it. She herself has been ignored by her dad, but it's obvious her heart flutters a bit at Malachy's kindness and affection.
It becomes a complicated situation. Luke is also mad at Malachy for wanting Michelle so badly, but I think it's more because he wants his best mate all to himself. Luke tries to get Malachy to leave Michelle alone, but the poor guy is too in love. He will do anything for Michelle and she uses that.
As the movie moves on, things become more complicated. Luke becomes more jealous and enraged. He starts to become very annoyed with Michelle and Malachy stands by her when they argue. This in turns leads to more trouble. And the end of the movie finally catches up to the beginning and we find out why Malachy was so bloody and dazed at the start of the film.
Overall, the movie was fantastic and easy enough to understand, but the complexity and dynamic of the characters gives it a unique spin. There was no need for extra flash. The look of the film is really artsy and simple and the music was brilliant! This movie is all about the emotion and personalities of the characters and how they all relate to each other. It's not your typical romance. Malachy and Michelle are not your typical romantic and love seeking couple and Luke and Malachy aren't your typical best friends. Rupert and Rob are gorgeous and funny on screen together and really make you believe they've been best friends for years. Kim brings a fresh take on "the girl". Michelle doesn't act like the nice girl; she knows she's a bit of a vixen and Kim makes you believe it. She worked well with Robert and especially Rupert. They chemistry is incredible.
The directors did a magnificent job with the violence, language and drugs. It was enough to make it dramatic, but not too much to make it unbelievable. I will say that partially the drug side of the story was well done. The teens get high and get really blasted in this movie, but it's tastefully done and is realistic.
Cherrybomb is an amazing film that I think teens and early adults alike will love and relate to. It's fresh, exciting, and jam packed with jaw dropping moments and gut busting humour. Anyone who wants to see a great film, see Cherrybomb!