Cherrybomb Hits Cinemas Across UK

A regionally-produced movie had a 'second' premiere in Belfast last night - with national cinema distribution starting next week, writes Brian McCalden.
Cherrybomb, a gritty and (for parents anyway), deeply disturbing film, examines the rapid decay of a three-way relationship.
In just a single weekend, it charts disaster between a socially disadvantaged misfit from a drug-addled, dysfunctional family background (Luke), and his friend, Malachy - whose stable family background counterpoints a predilection to increasingly dangerous activities - and Michelle, a captivating but troubled beauty, who tests their friendship to the limit as she encourages increasingly dangerous and illegal stunts in the battle for her affections.
Malachy is a high achiever at school with a summer job at the local Leisureplex; Luke lives with Smiley, his alcoholic father, and deals drugs for his brother Chris.
The bonds of friendship are strong - until the arrival of Michelle, the daughter of Malachy's Leisureplex boss, Crilly.
Michelle (Kimberley Nixon) who is pictured here with Malachy, (played by Rupert Grint), has recently moved back from London to stay with her father, and it becomes clear that Crilly has very little time for his daughter; he is far more interested in her best friend 16-year-old Donna, with whom he's having a secret affair.
The neglected Michelle welcomes the attention and flirts with both boys leading to a bar fight, a particularly dangerous bout of joyriding in which Malachy's dad's taxi is badly damaged, and a desperate bid to gain Crilly's attention and at the same time punish him for his sexual transgressions, by seducing Malachy in her father's bedroom.
Luke steals his brother's drugs, and with the aid of Malachy's security clearance the three teenagers break into the Leisureplex and host the party of the decade.
However, this night of youthful abandon comes at a high cost. When Crilly arrives at the Leisureplex in the morning and discovers the havoc that has been reaped by his daughter and her friends, the situation culminates in a tragedy that will change the lives of all three teenagers forever.
A tragic scenario comes to its dramatic conclusion - with audiences across the UK now set to enjoy what has been only available at film festivals to date (it premiered at last year's Belfast Film Festival) - by going on general release next Friday (23rd April).
Helped to reach this stage by a campaign run on the Internet by fans of Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint, the movie is now ready to disturb a much greater audience countrywide.
The relationships are subtly explored between the characters as Rupert Grint, Robert Sheehan (who comes from Cork, and steals the show), up-and-coming Kimberley Nixon and local famous face, James Nesbitt.
For local consumption in NI, the accents go off a little as both Grint and even Sheehan struggle with Northern inflection, ('Michelle' seems to be a difficulty) but overall, performances are fantastic.
NI actor, Lalor Roddy (who appeared in Hunger) gives a brilliant performance as Luke's tragic Dad, Smiley, doing much more than just supporting the action.
Directors Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa shot the film on location in Northern Ireland, (mostly in the Valley Leisure Centre) with it also being the second picture from respected UK-based producers, Mark Huffam and Simon Bosanquet's company Generator Entertainment.
Cherybomb (a type of dramatic firework) was produced in association with Northern Ireland Screen and with the participation of the Irish Film Board and features a score by acclaimed Belfast-based Hollywood composer, David Holmes.
(BMcC/GK)