Rubert Grint takes a side-step from the magical world of Harry Potter in teen drama Cherrybomb, a film filled with enough sex, drugs and rock n’ roll to make your parents blush.
Directed by duo Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, Cherrybomb is a story set in Belfast that revolves around the arrival of a troublemaking girl into the lives of two 15-year old boys and the curious effect she has on them. The first boy Malachy (Grint) is a straight-A student with a loving family working at the (cue ominous music) Titanic Leisure Centre. The other, Luke (Robert Sheenan), is your classic bad-boy from the wrong side of the tracks – father addicted to drugs and his brother a drug-dealer. We’re not told just exactly how these two are friends but it’s hinted that Malachy’s parents don’t really approve of Luke’s rebellious ways.
The film begins with the ending using a narrative device known as anachronic order (more commonly known as “The Tarantino Effect”). This device is used to reassure the viewer not to worry and that big things are going to happen at some point, in this case – murder.
After this foreboding opener comes the real beginning to the film – Malachy at his job in the leisure centre. During a boring day he accidently discovers his boss (James Nesbitt) indulging in some inter-office relations with a young member of staff. Not soon after Luke appears, dressed in skinny jeans, swearing and sitting on tables like real rebels do. Their conversation is stopped however by the silent arrival of Michelle (Kimberly Nixon), the boss’ daughter, smoking a cigarette and wearing sunglasses indoors – two things that should never be attempted in real life. This relationship between the three of them is the real heart of the film, a classic tale of one-upmanship between friends in order to impress a woman.
The various feats each one of them attempts escalates through the course of the film, Luke, being the rebellious person that he is, runs through the leisure centre smashing security cameras and scaring old women. Malachy goes for a slightly less flashy method by spray painting various anarchic phrases on Michelle’s house.
Of course, things take a turn for the worse when Malachy begins to take the lead with Michelle. Luke resents him for choosing a girl over their friendship all the while his relationship with his father is breaking down and he is becoming closer to his dangerous brother.
The actors in the film do a good job overall in putting across the teenage angst and sexual tension but I can’t help but feel the characters could have been given more attention. We have no reason to believe that the two boys would be friends in real-life and why they are both vying for this evil blonde. In addition, the character of Luke is frankly ridiculous. The directors have clearly seen a few too many episodes of Channel 4’s hit show “Skins” and Luke seems like has somehow wandered off from that set and into this one. That’s the problem with the entire film; it seems like an overly long, badly written episode of “Skins”. The Belfast setting is never utilised and could be substituted for any other city in the UK. The characters are unconvincing and unbelievable. The climax of the film, an out of control, after-hours party at the leisure centre, is a satisfying albeit abrupt ending.
Special attention however must be given to Grint’s attempt at the Belfast accent; surprisingly he is able to pull it off convincingly, only losing it in a few occasions. Sheenan however is not quite as adept, only being able to convince the viewer he is from Belfast when he is shouting or swearing.
It’s good to see Rupert Grint stepping out of Daniel Radcliffe’s rather large shadow but with its pained dialogue and unbelievable characters Cherrybomb left a sour taste in my mouth.
[Rating:2.5/5]
In Cinemas from April 23rd
