Under the Cherry Moon (1986)

Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) made her film debut swapping spit with Prince in this vanity piece directed by the rock legend himself. Prince plays a self-styled gigolo and musician in the south of France, and unlike his interesting grimness in Purple Rain, his character's affect is like one big, walking smirk here. Shot in black and white, the film is handsome enough to look upon for awhile. But even for people who admire Prince for his prodigious musical talents, the Song of Myself stuff in the movie is overwhelming. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS PURPLE, NO!

Ok..I saw this movie..it was respectively, what I call a time bandit. It robbed me of approximately 2 hours of my life that I cant get back. The most memorable parts of this movie was the popcorn I ate at the movies that day was pretty good,it was buttery..the other good memory, was the Prince death scene, yes..he was killed, and not a moment too soon, I was out of popcorn and my soda was getting flat..I actually laughed at this part, because it was so poorly acted and so animated..when I saw him do is little spasmodic fall to the ground with his little size two high heels thrust up in the air, I was like, EUREKA, its a comedy!..and a bad one, and its OVER!! yesssssss!!!
Do yourself a favor..keep whatever money you were going to spend on this movie and ball it up and throw it down on the street for a hobo...believe me, you'll feel better about doing that than spending any money on this..this movie isnt even worth the rental fee at the video store..I had a copy someone gave me, and I tried to sell it at the flea market for a dollar..a guy did buy it, but only walked over to the garbage can with it after he bought it and threw it in..I guess that was his way of saving the unsuspecting possible viewer..where was he when I first received this movie??
~dawnella February 11, 2008

I'm not much of a Prince fan but I like what I see

I watched "Under the Cherry Moon" this past weekend for the first ever, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm surprised it has such bad reviews and was awarded with those Razzie's:

1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Director: Prince
1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Supporting Actor: Jerome Benton
1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Picture
1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Actor: Prince
1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Screenplay nominee
1987 Razzie Awards: Worst Supporting Actress nominee: Kristin Scott Thomas

I guess at the time most people wanted Prince to come out with a sequel to Purple Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition). Prince trades in his Purple Rain character (The kid) to take on Christopher Tracy, a gigolo fresh from Miami who is scoping out the women of France, young and old alike, in search of much needed cash to pay his rent along with whatever else money can buy. He is accompanied by his sidekick, Tricky (Jerome Benton), who keeps him on his toes and his head of the clouds. Mary (Kristin Scott Thomas first starring role) is a stubborn, spoiled 21 year old brat who although may come off as a bit brazen at first, is really a frigid virgin who is not ready for the likes of Christopher when he shows up uninvited to her 21st birthday party. Opposites attract they find themselves becoming attracted to qualities they can't seem to find in anybody else.

This film has a surprise ending which took me off guard. This directorial; debut from Prince was quite impressive. His boyish antics and humor make for some charming entertainment. Though beset with many problems, ranging from period setting (are we in the 1940s or were vintage fashions suddenly the rage in '80's era France for about a month and Vogue didn't catch wind of it?), to an abrupt shift from light comedy to lukewarm melodrama that just doesn't feel right, Under the Cherry Moon somehow remains watchable due to the hypnotic charms of Prince, an affable foil in Benton (whose comic gifts belong in a better movie), and a smooth debut by Ms. Thomas, one of our era's most sophisticated ladies. Amongst the supporting troupe, Berkoff brings the same kind of menace from The Krays - Bound by Bloodand his unforgettable turn as Victor Maitland from Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop (Special Collector's Edition)to Mr. Sharon, and Shakespearean performer Francesca Annis is superb in a vital role as one of Christopher's past scammees.

Though some will challenge me, I feel Cherry's soundtrack is on a par with the legendary Purple platter and much more versatile, from the old-school R&B of "Boys and Girls" to the classy "Sometimes It Snows In April" and perhaps Prince's best single, the funkier than funk "Kiss". If you choose to view "Under the Cherry Moon" its best to watch it at night with the lights off so you can fully enjoy the whole karma and atmosphere of the film.
December 3, 2007

Prince in a different genre

Although music is the underlying genius...this often comical, well acted movie will surprise you. Give it a watch, you'll be surprised. October 22, 2007

well worth it for the music videos!!

lord knows i'm a big fan of prince music but hoo wee this movie (although it looks pretty - beautifully filmed)is BAAAAAD. bad 2 the bone. just as bad as i remember it at the theater back then. it stinks. that said, if you like prince even a little you will love the added 4 videos in the special features: anotherloverholeinyohead (finally!!), kiss, girls & boyz, & mountains. prince's fingerwork at the piano at the movie's intro is also priceless. but that death scene and crazy eye bucking/looking str8 in the camera? umph - prince please don't do that no mo!!! LOL October 6, 2007

My dog loves this movie

I have pug named Captain Greasefire and there are very few movie he will sit all the way through without wanting to eat some kibbles and bit or going to the bathroom, but he loves this movie and always sits all the way through it. That should mean something if Captain Greasefire thinks your movie is better than kibbles and bits. Good job Prince! June 20, 2007

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