Why the Latest Russo Brothers' Drama Undermines Tom Holland's Powerful Performance

The Russo Brothers, known for their work on blockbuster Marvel films, have ventured into a deeply personal and complex drama about addiction and trauma. However, their latest project, featuring Tom Holland, falls short of expectations due to its disjointed narrative and stylistic overload.

Launching on the Apple TV+ streaming platform, this film adapts the autobiographical story of American military medic Nico Walker. The Russos, who previously directed iconic Marvel crossovers like "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," return to directing with this emotionally charged drama, casting Holland in the lead role.

The film immediately showcases the directors' refined visual style, aiming for a dark social narrative likely intended for critical acclaim and award recognition. Yet, the final product feels fragmented, with the storytelling style often hindering both the actors' performances and audience engagement.

A Story in Three Distinct Acts

The plot centers on Cherry (Tom Holland), a former military medic grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After his service, he becomes addicted to opioids and resorts to robbing banks to support his habit.

However, this synopsis only reflects the film's final third of its two-and-a-half-hour runtime. The first segment explores Cherry's romantic relationship with Emily (Ciara Bravo), which slowly unravels.

The second act follows Cherry's military enlistment, his grueling training, and deployment as a medic in a combat zone. Only after this extensive portrayal of wartime horrors does the story return to his civilian life, where addiction and crime take center stage.

While creating a sweeping biographical drama is an ambitious goal for any director, especially one transitioning from lighter genres, the Russos appear to have overreached. Each act holds potential but fails to cohesively connect, making the film feel like three separate movies stitched together. Changes in filming style, tone, pacing, and soundtrack between acts disrupt the narrative flow.

This fragmentation diminishes the overall impact, preventing the audience from fully immersing in Cherry's journey.

Overly Elaborate Cinematography

The Russos not only divide the story visually and narratively but also overload each segment with stylistic excess. The opening act is relatively straightforward, featuring warm tones and a youthful romantic atmosphere that gradually darkens. However, the frequent, seemingly unnecessary use of slow-motion shots feels forced and detracts from the natural flow.

More significant issues arise in the military training segment, where the Russos adopt a visual style reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket," complete with shouting drill sergeants and regimented soldiers. However, unlike Kubrick's meticulous craftsmanship, this homage feels superficial and lacks the precision that made the original iconic.

The framing and wide-angle shots distort the imagery, and the stylistic choice seems arbitrary, adding little to character development or plot advancement.

When the setting shifts to Iraq, the film again leans heavily on slow-motion and attempts to portray the war as both grim and visually spectacular. Some long takes effectively convey the tension and slow passage of time during dangerous moments.

Yet, this visual intensity contrasts sharply with the subsequent return to civilian life, where the film shifts toward a crime drama style influenced by Martin Scorsese. Ironically, the film's visual excess is most pronounced here rather than in the combat scenes.

Scenes often feature red or blue lighting to reflect the characters' emotional states, surreal elements like profane bank names, and rapid editing transitions. Slow-motion is again employed to depict the characters' drug-induced experiences.

The film's length combined with its visual complexity can make viewing exhausting. The Russos seem intent on demonstrating their ability to craft visually stunning and unconventional scenes, but this often distracts from the story itself.

Clichés Despite Strong Performances

The film's greatest strength lies in its casting. Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, continues to break free from his youthful image, delivering a compelling portrayal of Cherry. His performance captures the character's evolution from naive teenager to a war veteran battling PTSD.

Ciara Bravo, playing Emily, also shines, moving beyond her earlier television roles to display significant emotional depth. The chemistry and tension between the characters, especially as their relationship strains under addiction, are among the film's most engaging elements.

Unfortunately, the filmmakers undermine these performances with overly stylized visuals and clichéd dialogue. Characters frequently deliver lines that sound like public service announcements or melodramatic scripts, making their interactions less believable.

As a result, the film struggles to consistently evoke the intended emotional responses, despite the actors' efforts.

Ultimately, the Russo Brothers appear to have aimed to prove their versatility beyond superhero blockbusters but have instead highlighted their limitations in handling intimate, character-driven drama. While their technical skills remain impressive, the heart of the story—the human element—gets lost amid the visual experimentation.

Despite strong performances from Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo, the film remains a chaotic and overloaded experience that may not resonate with many viewers.

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