Cherry

Writer/director Jeff Fine normally works in TV so this was a departure.

And a good one. Cherry is a solid piece of film-making, and is recommended by this reviewer.

Stories about nerds are not as easy to do as it would seem. Assuming you can set up the character properly -- and Kyle Gallner is wonderfully cast and wonderfully scripted -- you invariably end up with a conundrum.

Either the entire screenplays turns into a comedy (Revenge of the Nerds, American Pie) or you end up awash in pathos.

I am not going to reveal which route Fine takes other than to say he does a good job of avoiding the normal speed traps. Although, typical of these kinds of stories, the first and second Acts are better than the finale.

Laura Allen steals her scenes and is someone every guy wishes he had met in college.

Very unusual role for an early Britt Robertson -- she usually plays the lead, not second fiddle. But a solid performance as always.

You know those great little indie films from the states like 'Junebug', 'Thumbsucker' and 'World's Greatest Dad' to name but a few, well now you can add to that list 'Cherry' a charming coming of age human nature piece that each and every one can in some way relate to. It's a simple enough story, Aaron leaves home to embark on his freshman year and falls for an older student Linda, Linda a recovering alcoholic has a wise cracking, old before her years, daughter called Beth, Beth falls for Aaron and a bizarre unrequited love triangle opens up learning curves, home truths and life experience for all three. The great thing about this movie is the quality of the script, the acting and the use of music, no CGI or special effects are needed to convey the very real story contained. It has ups and downs, laughs and gasps and at an hour and a half is perfectly paced. Without sounding twee or patronising if something like Transformers is a beer then this is a nice cup of tea and a sit down, which is no bad thing, some blockbusters feel like being repeated hit in the face with laptop but sometimes you just need to be told a good solid entertaining story, Cherry is just that. I just hope lots of people get to see this film because it deserves it.

This movie truly is beautiful.

I just finished watching it and am still in awe of it. It is stirring and provocative while remaining humble. You can feel it, simple as it may be.

It was well casted and well placed, and I don't think they could have done a much better job of it. I think everybody can appreciate this movie, or at least relate to it.

Love, stress, panic, guilt, resolve. This film was brilliant in highlighting all of these emotions, and it had me glued to the screen.

Definitely one of my favorite movies of recent years. Solid 9/10. I highly recommend watching this if you get the chance to.

This is NOT one of those mindless, titillating, gratuitous fluff films that one might think. I'm not saying I don't enjoy those from time to time, but this is a great little coming of age film. Something I always enjoy when done well, and this one was. From the casting to the acting to the story line, this a winner in my book.

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie at SXSW this year, and even briefly go to meet the filmmaker - all and all, I really like this movie.

There's something personal to this coming of age story that we can all relate to - our first time. Our first year at college, the first time we thought we were in love, got our heartbroken, failed, followed our dreams, stuck up for ourselves, etc.

The story is simple - our hero, Aaron, starts his first year at an Ivy League school. It's his first chance to get away from his controlling mother, who has planned most of his life, and he can now follow more of his own dreams. He struggles a little bit with making friends and making the grades, but doesn't start finding himself until he meets single mother, Linda, and her daughter, Beth.

They all struggle with acceptance for who they are and who they want to be - waiting for life to happen to them instead of making life happen for them.

This movie is fun, humorous, and enjoyable. Every performance in this movie is worth seeing, from the acting to the film making. If you have the chance to see it, I recommend it.