Under the Cherry Moon
Encyclopedia
Under the Cherry Moon is a 1986 film directed by and starring Prince
as a gigolo
named Christopher Tracy and Time
member Jerome Benton
as his partner, Tricky. Together, the pair swindle wealthy French
women. The situation gets complicated when Christopher falls in love with heiress Mary Sharon (Kristin Scott Thomas
) after planning to swindle her when he finds out that she receives a $50 million trust fund on her 21st birthday. Mary's father Isaac (Steven Berkoff
) disapproves of the romance and provides an excellent adversary for Tracy.
. It was filmed on location in and around Nice
, France
, partly to ensure that there was good weather for filming and also to ensure that Prince was free of American film unions. The movie attempts to combine different styles and themes, including a musical
, romantic comedy
and drama
. The film's soundtrack
album, Parade, was generally received much better (particularly in Europe) than the film itself, and featured the hit singles "Kiss
" and "Mountains".
to Purple Rain
. However, barring a performance of "Girls & Boys
" by Prince in a French restaurant (which positively affected its performance on the charts in Europe when it was released as a single), most of the soundtrack remains as background music. The majority of critics were unimpressed, although there was praise for the film's cinematography
by Michael Ballhaus
who has worked with Martin Scorsese
.
and Janet Jackson
's most famous music videos, but after disagreements about the film's direction, Prince took over directing. She was credited only as a creative consultant in the movie's credits. Much of her input was disregarded and numerous drafts of the screenplay
exist to show the revisions the story went through.
(sister of Revolution member Wendy Melvoin
, as well as Prince's girlfriend at the time) play Mary Sharon, but it was clear she couldn't act and was replaced by Kristin Scott Thomas. Isaac Sharon was originally slated to be played by Terence Stamp
, although he didn't like the direction the film was going and eventually quit, replaced by Steven Berkoff. Emmanuelle Sallet who played Katie in the final version was originally included in a much smaller role, but had her part expanded after she met with Prince over dinner. Allegedly, the part of Mary's mother was also much larger, but was cut down in the final draft of the screenplay.
premiere in Sheridan, Wyoming
). Coincidently, while attending the premiere in Sheridan, minor vandalism was reported on the feature film's vintage car. Police reported the vandalism as minor petty theft, including the extraction of valve stem covers and a priceless gas cap. It only just managed to make back $10,090,429 as the total US gross, and current figures (if VHS
/DVD
rentals and sales are included) stand at about $12.5 million. It was this commercial failure that exacerbated the already existing tensions and feud between Prince and Warner Brothers which began in 1981 when Warner Brothers refused to release a one-off single called "Let's Rock." Prince later reworked it as "Let's Work
" on the Controversy album.
Prince drew inspiration from Federico Fellini
's 8½
to the slapstick humor of Abbott and Costello
(the sequence involving the ladder, the telephone call from Mary to Christopher), and his intentions went over the heads of teenage audiences and the film was a disaster, although like most quirky bad films, it does have a cult following. Roger Ebert has stated "I understand what he was trying to do." Gene Siskel said, "It looks as though Prince is trying to combine a Fred Astaire movie with a perfume commercial."
The film was a multiple winner at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards, winning five awards. The categories were: Worst Picture (tied with Howard the Duck
), Worst Actor and Worst Director (Prince), Worst Supporting Actor (Jerome Benton) and Worst Original Song ("Love or Money"). It was also nominated for Worst Supporting Actress and Worst New Star (Kristin Scott Thomas), and Worst Screenplay.
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
as a gigolo
Gigolo
Gigolo may refer to:* A male prostitute, escort, or dancer, who offers services to women* Gigolo , a 2006 single by Helena Paparizou* Gigolo , a 2003 single by Nick Cannon...
named Christopher Tracy and Time
The Time (band)
The Time is a funk and dance-pop ensemble formed in 1981. They are close Prince associates and arguably the most successful artists who have worked with him.-Prince, Formation and Success:...
member Jerome Benton
Jerome Benton
Jerome Benton is an American musical performer, backup dancer and comedic actor. He can be seen in music videos by Janet Jackson and Prince, but he is best known for his association with The Time....
as his partner, Tricky. Together, the pair swindle wealthy French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
women. The situation gets complicated when Christopher falls in love with heiress Mary Sharon (Kristin Scott Thomas
Kristin Scott Thomas
Kristin A. Scott Thomas, OBE is an English actress who has also acquired French nationality. She gained international recognition in the 1990s for her roles in Bitter Moon, Four Weddings and a Funeral and The English Patient....
) after planning to swindle her when he finds out that she receives a $50 million trust fund on her 21st birthday. Mary's father Isaac (Steven Berkoff
Steven Berkoff
Steven Berkoff is an English actor, writer and director. Best known for his performance as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy, he is typically cast in villanous roles, such as Lt...
) disapproves of the romance and provides an excellent adversary for Tracy.
Release
The movie was filmed in color but released in processed black-and-whiteBlack-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
. It was filmed on location in and around Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, partly to ensure that there was good weather for filming and also to ensure that Prince was free of American film unions. The movie attempts to combine different styles and themes, including a musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
, romantic comedy
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
and drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
. The film's soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
album, Parade, was generally received much better (particularly in Europe) than the film itself, and featured the hit singles "Kiss
Kiss (song)
In 1988 Art of Noise released a cover of the song, featuring Tom Jones on vocals. The song became the band's biggest hit to that point, reaching number eighteen on the U.S. dance charts and number five on the UK Singles Chart, higher than the original in that country...
" and "Mountains".
Critiques
At the time of its release in 1986, many critics were expecting, in one form or another, a direct sequelSequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Purple Rain
Purple Rain (film)
Purple Rain is a 1984 film directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn. Prince makes his film debut in this movie, which was developed to showcase his particular talents, hence, the film contains several extended concert sequences. The film grossed more than US$80 million at...
. However, barring a performance of "Girls & Boys
Girls & Boys (Prince song)
"Girls & Boys" is a 1986 song by Prince and The Revolution, from the album Parade, the soundtrack to the film Under the Cherry Moon. The song was released as a single in the U.K., and as the B-side to "Anotherloverholenyohead" in the U.S.....
" by Prince in a French restaurant (which positively affected its performance on the charts in Europe when it was released as a single), most of the soundtrack remains as background music. The majority of critics were unimpressed, although there was praise for the film's cinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
by Michael Ballhaus
Michael Ballhaus
Michael Ballhaus, A.S.C. is a German cinematographer. In 1990, he was the Head of the Jury at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival.- Life and career :...
who has worked with Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
.
Directing
The film was originally slated to be directed by Mary Lambert, the director behind some of MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's most famous music videos, but after disagreements about the film's direction, Prince took over directing. She was credited only as a creative consultant in the movie's credits. Much of her input was disregarded and numerous drafts of the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
exist to show the revisions the story went through.
Cast
The cast was also changed during pre-production. Prince originally had planned to have Susannah MelvoinSusannah Melvoin
Susannah Melvoin is an American vocalist and songwriter, best known for her association with Prince in the mid-1980s. Coming from a musical family, Melvoin is the twin sister of musician Wendy Melvoin, sister to the late Jonathan Melvoin , and daughter of jazz pianist Michael...
(sister of Revolution member Wendy Melvoin
Wendy Melvoin
Wendy Melvoin is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Prince as part of his backing band The Revolution, and for her collaboration with Lisa Coleman as one half of the duo Wendy & Lisa....
, as well as Prince's girlfriend at the time) play Mary Sharon, but it was clear she couldn't act and was replaced by Kristin Scott Thomas. Isaac Sharon was originally slated to be played by Terence Stamp
Terence Stamp
Terence Henry Stamp is an English actor. Since starting his career in 1962 he has appeared in over 60 films. His title role as Billy Budd in his film debut earned Stamp an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer.His other major roles include...
, although he didn't like the direction the film was going and eventually quit, replaced by Steven Berkoff. Emmanuelle Sallet who played Katie in the final version was originally included in a much smaller role, but had her part expanded after she met with Prince over dinner. Allegedly, the part of Mary's mother was also much larger, but was cut down in the final draft of the screenplay.
Filming
Filmed with a budget of about $12 million, Under the Cherry Moon failed to gain any breakout audience, despite much pre-publicity (including a special MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
premiere in Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan is a city in Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States. The 2010 census put the population at 17,444 and a Micropolitan Statistical Area of 29,116...
). Coincidently, while attending the premiere in Sheridan, minor vandalism was reported on the feature film's vintage car. Police reported the vandalism as minor petty theft, including the extraction of valve stem covers and a priceless gas cap. It only just managed to make back $10,090,429 as the total US gross, and current figures (if VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
/DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
rentals and sales are included) stand at about $12.5 million. It was this commercial failure that exacerbated the already existing tensions and feud between Prince and Warner Brothers which began in 1981 when Warner Brothers refused to release a one-off single called "Let's Rock." Prince later reworked it as "Let's Work
Let's Work
"Let's Work" was the second single from the 1981 album, Controversy, by Prince. The song originates from a dance called "the Rock" that local kids were doing at the time in Minneapolis. Prince responded quickly with a track called "Let's Rock", and wished to quickly release it as a single. Warner...
" on the Controversy album.
Prince drew inspiration from Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
's 8½
8½
8½ is a 1963 Italian fantasy film directed by Federico Fellini. Co-scripted by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, and Brunello Rondi, it stars Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director...
to the slapstick humor of Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
(the sequence involving the ladder, the telephone call from Mary to Christopher), and his intentions went over the heads of teenage audiences and the film was a disaster, although like most quirky bad films, it does have a cult following. Roger Ebert has stated "I understand what he was trying to do." Gene Siskel said, "It looks as though Prince is trying to combine a Fred Astaire movie with a perfume commercial."
The film was a multiple winner at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards, winning five awards. The categories were: Worst Picture (tied with Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck (film)
Howard the Duck is a 1986 American science fiction comedy film directed by Willard Huyck and produced by George Lucas. It is loosely based on the Marvel comic book of the same name, created by Steve Gerber and quoting scripts by Bill Mantlo, the film focuses on Howard, an alien from a planet...
), Worst Actor and Worst Director (Prince), Worst Supporting Actor (Jerome Benton) and Worst Original Song ("Love or Money"). It was also nominated for Worst Supporting Actress and Worst New Star (Kristin Scott Thomas), and Worst Screenplay.