American Cherry

American Cherry is a potent, visceral drama from the year 2021 that dives headlong into the undertow of small-town living, portraying the labyrinth of chaos, despair, and sheer human tenacity that swirls beneath the seeming tranquility of suburban Americana. The film is a fierce, unforgettable foray into psychological exploration, courting themes of identity, belonging, and the human capacity for love and redemption against seemingly insurmountable odds.

From director Marcella Cytrynowicz in her compelling narrative feature debut, American Cherry weaves a complex tale of uncommon depth and extraordinary empathetic impact. The film stars Leonor Varela (from Blade II and Hell Ride) flexing her acting chops in a stellar performance that anchors the story, Matty Cardarople (having achieved fame in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Jurassic World), and the luminary Sarah May Sommers, each crafting formidable portrayals that unflinchingly grapple with the narrative's profound challenges.

American Cherry follows the life of a young woman named Beth, portrayed with undeniable prowess by Sarah May Sommers. On the surface, Beth appears to be an average suburban mom, living a humdrum life, punctuated only by the occasional neighborhood party and the ongoing search for bargain sales. However, her uneventful façade hides a boiling pot of passion, fear, addiction, and strained relationships. She grapples with the ravages of a drug addiction, which she must hide from her judgmental community and her young daughter.

Amid these trying circumstances, Beth forms an unusual friendship with her charismatic tattoo shop-owning neighbor, played by Chilean-American actress Leonor Varela. Varela's character, Larissa, is a woman who thrives on her spirit of open defiance against the perceived normalcy of suburban life. She is a beacon of resistance, a stark contrast to the mundane, rule-following existence that defines Beth's life. Through this bond of shared antipathy towards convention, Beth finds a grounding force that helps her navigate her tumultuous life journey, offering solace and perspective amidst her transgressions and tragedies.

Matty Cardarople subtly portrays a self-involved, manipulative boyfriend to Beth, further adding layers of complexity in Beth's twisted reality. His pseudo-charming persona increasingly becomes a torment in the chaos-swirl of Beth's existence, pushing her towards unpredictable decisions.

Cytrynowicz's incisive direction masterfully delineates the facades of the 'picket fence' lifestyle, punctuating each scene with an underlying sense of apprehension. American Cherry's narrative tension is regularly upped by its cinematography that encapsulates suburban life's robust colors and sleepy, smooth veneer belied by its jittery, feverish underpinnings. The film takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, as these contrasting elements combine to pave the way for some shocking revelations.

American Cherry is a big-hearted drama teeming with tension and emotion, built on a landscape of powerful performances. The movie enthralls with its exploration of addiction and despair offset by the hope and will of human spirit. It pushes past the often glamorized and filtered lens that suburban life is usually depicted through, shines a glaring spotlight on variegated truths instead, illuminates fraught emotional circuits often whitewashed.

In its essence, American Cherry serves as a profound reminder that within everyday households and ordinary lives lurk extraordinary narratives, deep secrets, heartbreaking disappointment, and astounding resilience. It is a gripping portrayal of internal battles that wage within the calm perimeters of the white picket fence, a story that is bound to leave audiences questioning the nature of their truths, their secrets, their prejudices, and their capacity for redemptions. Through its exploration of the intricacies of human nature, American Cherry becomes a cinematic experience that is not easily forgotten.

In all, American Cherry compellingly illuminates the paradox of despair and desire, addiction and love, fear and bravery, making us inherently comprehend that the notion of normality is perhaps the most abstract concept in a seemingly concrete world. It serves as a voter of confidence in the belief that no matter how complicated and painful our realities might be, the human spirit can aspire to transcend it all—constantly reaching out for the slivers of hope that promise a new dawn.