Under the Cherry Moon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Prince plays a gigolo trying to scam a rich girl out of her fifty million dollars, but then he totally ruins the plan by accidentally falling in love with her in stylish black and white.

🍿 Under the Cherry Moon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

European Hustlers

Christopher Tracy and his partner Tricky are a pair of charming, albeit broke, gigolos operating on the French Riviera. They make their living by wooing wealthy women for their money. Their latest scheme involves targeting Mary Sharon, a young heiress poised to inherit a massive fortune on her 21st birthday. Christopher and Tricky plan to seduce Mary and gain access to her wealth. However, Christopher finds himself genuinely falling for Mary, complicating their professional arrangement. This shift in focus creates tension between Christopher and Tricky, threatening their long-standing partnership.

The Heiress and the Hustle

Mary Sharon, initially skeptical and witty in her interactions with Christopher, begins to be drawn to his unique charm, despite the clear social divide and her disapproving, controlling father. Christopher and Tricky attempt to introduce Mary to their world, notably in a memorable scene where they try to teach her the phrase “wrecka stow.” As Christopher’s feelings for Mary deepen, he considers abandoning his hustling lifestyle for her. Meanwhile, Mary’s father grows increasingly suspicious and takes steps to keep Christopher away from his daughter, including arranging her immediate marriage to a more suitable suitor. This escalating conflict sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Christopher Tracy (Prince): A charming gigolo who plans to swindle a wealthy heiress but falls genuinely in love with her.
• Tricky (Jerome Benton): Christopher’s loyal, comical sidekick and partner in their schemes, who eventually clashes with him over Mary.
• Mary Sharon (Kristin Scott Thomas): A wealthy, rebellious heiress who becomes the target of the con artists but forms a deep connection with Christopher.
• Mr Sharon (Steven Berkoff): Mary’s controlling father and a wealthy shipping magnate who strongly disapproves of Christopher and their relationship.
• Katy (Emmanuelle Sallet): The patient landlady of Christopher and Tricky who becomes romantically involved with Tricky.
• Mrs Wellington (Francesca Annis): A wealthy former client whom Christopher initially targets before setting his sights on Mary.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tricky: “Where do you go if you want to get a Sam Cooke album?” – Tricky challenges Mary with a seemingly simple question, leading to the film’s most iconic phonetic joke.
• Mary Sharon: “The record store.” – Mary reluctantly provides the answer to Tricky’s riddle, finally understanding the ‘Wrecka Stow’ joke.
• Tricky: “It’s the mum!” – Tricky warns Christopher with alarm when he realizes Christopher is attempting to seduce Mary’s mother instead of Mary.
• Tricky: “I want a girl who’s smart, a girl who can teach me things. I hate stupid women. You know why? You marry a stupid girl, you have stupid kids. You don’t believe me? Follow a stupid kid home and see if somebody stupid don’t answer the door.” – Tricky shares his humorous and rather cynical philosophy on dating and intelligence with Christopher.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,090,429
• Worldwide Gross: $10,090,429

💥 Under the Cherry Moon Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first watched this expecting a trainwreck based on its reputation, but I was totally surprised! Prince and Jerome Benton are SO funny together; their back-and-forth banter and physical comedy had me genuinely laughing out loud. Like, the ‘Wrecka Stow’ scene? Pure gold. The black and white look is gorgeous and gives it this dreamy, almost retro vibe, even if it felt weird for the 80s. Yeah, the plot gets a little shaky towards the end, and the tonal shift is jarring, but the music is fantastic and pulls you through. It’s definitely a weird, quirky movie, but I found it incredibly charming and unique. It made me feel like I was in on a cool, strange secret. Plus, the ending hits unexpectedly hard!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Die-hard Prince fans”
  • “Viewers interested in unique, stylized films”
  • “Fans of quirky or cult classic movies”
  • “Those who enjoy classic screwball comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some suggestive content/dialogue”
  • “Depiction of criminal activity (hustling)”
  • “Brief violence near the end”
  • “Tragic ending”

Professional Reviews

• Based on User Reviews: “Dismissed upon release, this film is now seen by some as a misunderstood homage to classic Hollywood musicals. While Prince’s acting is unconventional and the plot meanders, the unique black and white cinematography is visually appealing. The comedic chemistry between Prince and Jerome Benton is a highlight, providing genuinely funny moments amidst the romantic drama.
• Based on User Reviews: “This movie is definitely not *Purple Rain*. It leans heavily into surreal, slapstick comedy that didn’t land with everyone. The script and direction can feel amateurish at times, but the film undeniably has a distinctive style and charm, elevated by Prince’s music. It’s polarizing, often loved fiercely by fans who ‘get it’ and disliked by those expecting something more conventional.

Audience Reactions

The comedic moments, especially the ‘Wrecka Stow’ scene, are endlessly quotable and hilarious.: Viewers often praise the unique black and white visual style, the fantastic soundtrack, and the surprisingly strong comedic chemistry between Prince and Jerome Benton.

Many fans appreciate that the film is unapologetically ‘Prince’ and doesn’t conform to typical movie standards.: Despite its flaws, the movie is frequently described as having a distinct charm, style, and rewatchability factor, solidifying its status as a cult favorite.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film widely considered a commercial and critical failure upon release, but which has since gained a strong cult following among Prince fans who appreciate its unique visual style, quirky humor, and excellent soundtrack.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally shot in color by cinematographer Michael Ballhaus but was changed to black and white late in production, reportedly at Prince’s insistence, to evoke classic Hollywood romantic comedies.”
• “Kristin Scott Thomas made her feature film debut in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’.”
• “Prince took over directing the film shortly after production began, replacing music video director Mary Lambert.”
• “The world premiere was held in Sheridan, Wyoming, after a local fan won an MTV contest. Prince performed a concert at the afterparty.”
• “The movie’s soundtrack is the album ‘Parade’ by Prince and The Revolution.”

🖥️ How to Watch Under the Cherry Moon?

Prince’s ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ (1986) is not currently widely available on major subscription streaming services. You can typically find the film available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital storefront for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Under the Cherry Moon, you might like these similar films:

• Purple Rain (1984): Prince’s earlier, more commercially successful film explores similar themes of music, identity, and romance, though with a darker, more dramatic tone.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988): Features con artists operating on the French Riviera who get tangled up in romance while trying to swindle a wealthy heiress, sharing a similar setting and thematic core.
• At Long Last Love (1975): A highly stylized, initially panned musical comedy that also utilized a black and white aesthetic and paid homage to classic Hollywood genres, gaining a later cult following.
• Desperately Seeking Susan (1985): Another stylized, quirky 1980s comedy with a distinctive visual style, focus on character dynamics, and memorable fashion and music influences.
• Moulin Rouge! (2001): A vibrant, visually stunning, and highly stylized musical romance set in a fantastical historical location, sharing the theatrical and romantic melodrama elements.

🛒 Under the Cherry Moon Related Products

• Under the Cherry Moon [DVD/Blu-ray]: Own Prince’s stylish and controversial second feature film in high definition. Experience the unique black and white visuals and quirky charm at home.
• Prince & The Revolution: Parade (Music From Under the Cherry Moon) [Vinyl/CD/Digital]: The critically acclaimed soundtrack album that accompanies the film. Features hits like ‘Kiss’ and fan favorites like ‘Sometimes It Snows in April’.
• Prince: The Beautiful Ones: An intimate memoir, unfinished at the time of his death, where Prince reflects on his early life, family, and the journey to becoming Prince.
• Prince ‘Parade’ Album Art T-Shirt: Wear the iconic black and white imagery from the ‘Parade’ album cover, directly tied to the movie’s aesthetic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Under the Cherry Moon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Christopher Tracy’s Parade” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “New Position” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “I Wonder U” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Under the Cherry Moon” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Girls & Boys” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Life Can Be So Nice” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Venus de Milo” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Mountains” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Do U Lie?” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Kiss” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Anotherloverholenyohead” – performed by Prince and The Revolution
• “Sometimes It Snows in April” – performed by Prince and The Revolution

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kristin Scott Thomas Interview 1986

Ever wonder what it was like for Kristin Scott Thomas landing her very first movie role opposite Prince? This rare interview from 1986 is fascinating – you get to see her perspective right when it was all happening!

Kristin Scott Thomas on Tom Cruise, Ryan Gosling and … Prince

Kristin Scott Thomas shares some fantastic anecdotes about her time working with Prince on ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ in this interview. Hearing her compare him to other big co-stars really highlights how one-of-a-kind he was!

Prince Arrives to Sheridan Wyoming Under the Cherry Moon Premiere 1986

Take a quick trip back to 1986 and see Prince himself arriving at the ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ movie premiere! It’s pretty cool historical footage that captures a moment in time for the film’s release.

Kristin Scott Thomas’ mum’s hilarious reaction to her first role! | The Graham Norton Show – BBC

You absolutely have to watch this clip from The Graham Norton Show where Kristin Scott Thomas tells a laugh-out-loud story about her mom’s reaction to seeing her in ‘Under The Cherry Moon’. It’s a super funny, relatable moment!

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