Cherry (2010)

60% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(480 ratings)

A naïve teenager finds out just how complicated adult relationships can be in this comedy drama from veteran television director Jeffrey Fine. Aaron (Kyle Gallner) is a bright but socially awkward college freshman studying to become an engineer, like most of the men in his family. Aaron has been… More A naïve teenager finds out just how complicated adult relationships can be in this comedy drama from veteran television director Jeffrey Fine. Aaron (Kyle Gallner) is a bright but socially awkward college freshman studying to become an engineer, like most of the men in his family. Aaron has been accepted into a special advanced program at an Ivy League university, but he's also a gifted cartoonist and would rather study art. Aaron tries to work some drawing classes into his schedule, and through one he meets Linda (Laura Allen), a beautiful 34-year-old single mother who has returned to college. Upbeat and outspoken, Linda befriends Aaron; he's flattered by the attention and becomes deeply infatuated with her. However, when Linda invites Aaron home for dinner, he's introduced to Beth (Britt Robertson), her sharp-tongued and precocious 14-year-old daughter. Beth immediately develops a passionate crush on Aaron, and he finds himself in an uncomfortable position -- the woman he wants is only going to be his friend, while he's not so interested in the girl who wants him (and he could go to jail if he responds to her advances). Cherry received its world premiere at the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Jeffrey Fine
Written By: Jeffrey Fine
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 8, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Sep 26, 2011
Studio: First Look Studios

Critic Reviews

Kyle Smith, New York Post
An attempted mashup of "Gilmore Girls" and "The Graduate," "Cherry" fails to be either raunchy or sweet.
Mike Hale, New York Times
Cherry cribs from The Graduate, Educating Rita, Good Will Hunting and Legally Blonde, but never comes close to being as funny or as touching as those movies at their best.
Simon Abrams, Village Voice
As ungainly and unkempt as its teen protagonist.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
A sparkling coming-of-ager about a 17-year-old virgin who imperfectly juggles academic challenges and off-campus liaisons, somehow emerging able to walk on water.
Tom Russo, Boston Globe
The movie stirs up a thoroughly relatable swirl of youthful tentativeness, raging hormones, and the thrill and angst that come with new independence - all the things running through a good kid's head at 17.
Kimberley Jones, Austin Chronicle
Despite some tonal inconsistencies and ill-fitting stabs at whimsy, all-around good performances, Fine's snappy script, and Michael Hoskins' original illustrations elevate Cherry into a sensitively felt and fundamentally sweet coming-of-age pic.
Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
Why's it special? Partly because of the performances. Partly because of the depth of characterization. Partly because of assured direction.
Jesse Cataldo, Slant Magazine
The film heaps on events and obstacles far too liberally for its skimpy frame.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
A smart, funny, genuinely heartfelt and uplifting coming-of-age story.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
Fine resolves this ménage with taste and integrity, and also with humor and genuine feeling.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark A

This was a pleasant surprise. Funny how some films that appear to be pure fluff, judging by the cover art and the description can turn out to be unknown gems. I queued this up, expecting some lightweight coming of age drama and got a very well done, thoughtful story of a young man… More
This was a pleasant surprise. Funny how some films that appear to be pure fluff, judging by the cover art and the description can turn out to be unknown gems. I queued this up, expecting some lightweight coming of age drama and got a very well done, thoughtful story of a young man struggling to find his place in a highly competitive, Ivy League college. Kyle Gallner is Aaron, a freshman with a real artistic talent who finds himself in the engineering program to please his domineering engineer mother (Stephanie Vindetto). He meets Linda (Laura Allen), an older woman in a Life Drawing class and becomes friends with her. The acting was quite good, and the story flowed naturally. These are not perfect people dealing with superficial problems. Aaron struggles in his design class and with fitting in to college life, while Linda has personal issues and problems with self-esteem. Add to this Linda's fourteen year old, mature beyond her years daughter, and a volatile cop (Esai Morales) for a boyfriend, and Linda's plate is pretty full. But these three damaged souls provide a space for healing for each other. This one moved me with its tenderness and its honesty.
Nick G

This movie was better than expected. I knew I'd like it, because it falls right into line with other independent drama/comedy/coming of age films that I seem to love; Rocket Science, Ballad of Jack and Rose, Thumbsucker, etc. What I didn't expect, is that it's… More
This movie was better than expected. I knew I'd like it, because it falls right into line with other independent drama/comedy/coming of age films that I seem to love; Rocket Science, Ballad of Jack and Rose, Thumbsucker, etc. What I didn't expect, is that it's probably not just a movie I'd like and has more appeal than just the quirky characters indie film niche. Sure.. there were a few plot holes, and minor character flaws - things that were done that I didn't understand the motivation for that person to do - but it's a great effort. The one thing that impressed me most is, with 10-20 minutes left I still had no clue where the movie was going to go. This is good in the sense they didn't broadcast twists and changes in the story arc, and the dialogue and flow kept me sucked in to the story to the point that wasn't even something I thought about. Even more so, because Cherry seems a bit cliche, unrealistic and predictable on the surface; but the characters and story have a lot of depth, and with that depth it works.