Kirsitubakas

This Estonian film explores the confusing and bittersweet terrain of first love with sensitivity and restraint. Directed by Estonian duo Katrin and Andres Maimik, the film follows 17-year-old Laura (Maris Nõlvak), a disaffected small-town girl who stumbles into unexpected emotional territory during a bog hike led by Joosep (Gert Raudsep), a rugged, middle-aged nature guide.

What begins as boredom quickly transforms into fascination, as Laura finds herself drawn to Joosep's gruff charm, despite-or perhaps due to-the vast age gap. The filmmakers smartly avoid sensationalism; their portrayal of Laura's sexual awakening is suggestive, not explicit, communicated through small gestures, glances, and sensory cues like the titular scent of cherry tobacco. It's these subtle details-alongside evocative cinematography and a gentle score-that give the film its emotional depth.

Though the pacing falters slightly in the middle, the film ultimately succeeds through its grounded characters and naturalistic performances. Nõlvak, in particular, is magnetic, portraying Laura with a raw mix of innocence, yearning, and disillusionment; Raudsep provides a strong counterpoint, never tipping Joosep into predatory territory, but instead embodying a complex figure who leaves a lasting mark on Laura's journey to adulthood.

Despite its modest scale, Cherry Tobacco captures something quietly universal about adolescent desire, emotional confusion, and the lessons of unfulfilled love. It doesn't preach or judge, instead trusting its audience to feel their way through the story-just like its protagonist. It's not a must-watch, but it's a worthwhile and emotionally honest film that lingers, like a scent, after the credits roll.

I happen to see this film at European film festival in NFAI, Pune. I always make it a point to watch the trailer before going to a festival movie as it could be risky proposition sometimes, so the thing that caught my eye in the trailer was the beautiful cinematography and a leading lady who looked like and acted like Gwyneth Paltrow.

The film was incredibly fast paced to my surprise and quite humorous in the beginning to set the tempo. But then onwards the screenplay builds the sexual tension between the protagonists in a subtle and charming manner. The best thing about the script is that nothing seems out of place, nothing seems forced upon characters. It goes very easy on our hearts and minds at the same time.

Great credit to director duo of Andres and Katarin for that. But at the same, the best part of the movie is the performance by the lead actress Maris Nõlvak. She doesn't just look like Gwyneth Paltrow but takes us back to "Shakespeare in Love" back in the 1990s with her wonderful performance. For that matter, Gurt Raudsep and other principle actors compliment her perfectly to make it even better experience.

I loved the film for its charm, its camera-work, the background score and the acting. And I could enjoy all of this without bothering about the language which I do not understand at all. Good movies can travel beyond cultural and geographical boundaries, Cherry Tobacco is a good example of that.

A coming of age (offbeat) comedy drama, more sweet and far less creepy than it may seems, after reading the synopsis. Biggest quality here is acting, Nolvak/Raudsep and the other actors were very good. It doesn't start strong but minute by minute, it's getting better. Pace was good, it was somewhat interesting and i would say even realistic, i mean, i was totally convinced and empathized with the characters. It's not a glamorous big budget Holywood production but it's not artsy/pretentious either, these characters don't look like caricatures but real people. CHERRY TOBACCO doesn't spoonfed the viewer but it doesn't need either to have a 180 iq in order to understand what is going on, there is no ambiguity, it's a simple story but interesting enough to make you invested.

It's not a MUST WATCH but i am glad i watched it. It's the first Esthonian movie i watch, definitely i could watch more of them from now on.