Then why is Under the Cherry Moon vastly superior to Graffiti Bridge in production values and quality in filmmaking? It seems like these two movies were directed by two different people.

Mmm. I guess it would seem different given the plots and all that. The editing seems worse in Graffiti Bridge though.

actionthisday said:

Graffiti Bridge was edited ?

Perhaps he was able to attract a better film crew to help him make UTCM due to the more recent success of Purple Rain? Graffiti Bridge was also written and re-written so many times that by the time they got around to making it, Prince was probably "over it" already. Just my opinion...

But let's be honest here - they're both pretty awful. UTCM is only saved by its humour. GB isn't funny at all. As much as I love him in Purple Rain, Morris Day annoys the crap out of me in GB...

Yes, but we must use the term "directed" in the loosest possible sense.

moonshine said:

Yeah and they did a great job.

Graffiti Bridge was more of a movieloaf. It was made from real movie parts, chunked into a form.

moonshine said:

They must have edited out all the good bits.

Imago said:

actionthisday said:

Graffiti Bridge was a real movie? I just thought it was a bad nightmare.
[Edited 5/2/06 18:38pm]

Graffiti Bridge was...was...was...uh...I don't know. It is like the third Godfather, I try to pretend it doesn't exist

He also directed the Sign O The Times movie, but I am sure he got lots of help with most of it.

What was GB about? I never saw it.

wonder505 said:

www.wikipedia.org then type in Graffiti Bridge. Don't worry, you're not missing much

(Somewhat) Interesting fact. if you are wondering what the Japanese writing on the bridge says it is just talking about heaven (or God, depends how you interpret the kanji) and money...same theme that is in the film

u2prnce said:

It proves that Prince has what it takes to survive anything. A lesser musician would've had his career completely ended by that movie.

But Prince then comes back with "Diamonds and Pearls" which sold very well despite his appearance on MTV in assless yellow pants--another career ending move for lesser musicians.

help the cherry moon fell!

I heard that Prince originally wanted Martin Scorsese to direct 'Under The Cherry Moon' and he even asked him to.For whatever reason,Scorsese declined.

'Graffiti Bridge' was supposed to be directed by Albert Magnoli (who directed 'Purple Rain') but he and Prince had a falling out just before filming began.

I really believe that both of those movies would have turned out better if they had been directed by someone who knew what they were doing.Sometimes Princes' ego can be his worst enemy

DavidEye said:

True. And also Jean Baptiste Mondino had been Steve Fargnoli's choice for helming the picture in the first place.

Instead they ended up with Mary Lambert, who had to be fired from the set because of her routine incompetence.

It seems "Under The Cherry Moon" was doomed to fail from the start.

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giotto said:

Yeah.I heard that Prince cried (literally) when he saw the finished film.He felt that it didn't turn out the way he wanted it to.I think the movie isn't nearly as bad as it's reputation suggests.

If I recall correctly, "UTCM" was originally supposed to be directed by a female director, I believe her name was Barron. Supposedly she quit (or was fired) during or shortly before production, and Prince took over. so it seems as if the film was already in place when Prince took over, whereas "GB" was all his from the start.

None of it really matters, since both SUCKED. I don't expect Martin Scorsese or Ang lee to sing and dance, so I certainly don't expect prince to be a film director. Sometimes, you gotta stick with what you know ...

DavidEye said:

"Dear dad... things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna "



.

giotto said:

I think theres far less difference between the quality of Purple Rain and Cherry Moon than there is between Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge. Prince just thought he was a genius director and he realized he wasn't. He's kind of like Ed Wood.

u2prnce said:

Interesting comparison there. Ed Wood and Prince seem to share the same fatal determination and boody-mindedness to see a job through to the bitter end. Good advice and consequences be damned.

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moonshine said:

oh my god, i haven't laughed that hard in a long time. thank you!

actionthisday said:

!!!!!

I think the biggest problem with both movies is the director was completely in love with the star.

moonshine said:

seriously though, that's the main problem.

the original cut footage would have made it more coherent, believe it or not.

giotto said:

I think it is a very apt comparison.