Cherry 7-8/10
Born on the Fourth of July/The Basketball Diaries.
A sad and depressing story told in a light and, mostly, humorous way.
I usually dislike when characters are talking to the audience, especially while looking at the camera. But in this case it didn't bother me that much, probably because it's Tom Holland. I get back to him.
What DID bother me a bit was the way the story was told, not the way it was made. It's a very well made movie with some creative camera work. No, the problem is that the story is kinda soapy, meaning that it's shallow white people problems that leads to characters joining the army, becoming drug addicts and robbing banks, and I couldn't really take that seriously. Here's an example:
Boy: I've joined the army.
Girl: Why?
Boy: Because I was sad.
Girl: Why?
Boy: Because you were going to Canada to study.
Girl: I wasn't going to Canada. I just said that to get away from you, because.... I love you.
*puke smiley* *puke smiley* *puke smiley*
I also would have liked to see the middle part shortened and the epilogue prolonged, and the very end cut 1 minute before it did. Then I'd be a happy guuuy!
THAT being said. The acting was top notch and if this movie had come out 4 months ago Tom Holland would've had a very good chance of winning his first Oscar.