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Under the Cherry Moon (1986)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
8/21
8/21:
Under the Cherry Moon is a playful follow-up to the massive success of Purple Rain.
I didn't realize until the movie was over that Prince directed it. Hence, the man was a magnificent talent. What a unique
perspective he had. In a way, both are similar when it comes to romance. However, Under the Cherry Moon is completely
different in how the material is presented. I can't help but feel the strong influence of
La dolce vita.
By far, the best artistic decision is turning it into a black-and-white picture. Michael Ballhaus should've been recognized
for the job well done. His extensive résumé includes Goodfellas,
Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Quiz Show. Had he shot
Under the Cherry Moon in color, a lot of the power would've been lost.
After that, Prince takes care of the rest. Too cool for words, he's fun to watch. So is Jerome Benton as his sidekick. Kristin
Scott Thomas makes a stunning debut, and she would go on to have a long, great career in acting. The chemistry between her and
Prince is electrifying. What sets him apart from others is the unpredictability.
Looking up the internet, I'm dismayed to see a lot of negative reviews heaped on Under the Cherry Moon.
They've missed the point as the film isn't far off from Purple Rain. In fact, both are
highly creative and artistic, and there's a lot of poetry in what Prince did.
Interestingly, a woman named Lisa Barber became the 10,000th caller for MTV's "Prince Under the Cherry Moon"
contest. As a result, she won the right to host the film for its world premiere at her hometown of Sheridan, Wyoming. It
must have been an experience of a lifetime for her which is something that never happens with other stars of Prince's magnitude.
All in all, although Purple Rain got the most press of Prince's filmmaking career,
Under the Cherry Moon warrants attention because it's quite good.