It's a truly terrible movie, but Prince's charisma just about carries it (or at least, makes it watchable for hardcore Prince fans; I probably wouldn't inflict it upon anyone else). It was filmed in colour, but released in black and white.

The movie was set in the 20s, not the 40s. The 40s in France wasn't much fun.

Phase3 said:

Why was the film filmed in black and white?

It was filmed in color, and converted to black and white.

Jerome Benton has cleared the air on this, in several interviews.

ian said:

It's a truly terrible movie, but Prince's charisma just about carries it (or at least, makes it watchable for hardcore Prince fans; I probably wouldn't inflict it upon anyone else). It was filmed in colour, but released in black and white.

The movie was set in the 20s, not the 40s. The 40s in France wasn't much fun.

...ok, with Christopher driving a 1964 Buick Wildcat in and around 1920's France?!?!? Maybe you're confusing that flick with "Back To The Future"...

ThirdStrike said:

ian said:

It's a truly terrible movie, but Prince's charisma just about carries it (or at least, makes it watchable for hardcore Prince fans; I probably wouldn't inflict it upon anyone else). It was filmed in colour, but released in black and white.

The movie was set in the 20s, not the 40s. The 40s in France wasn't much fun.

...ok, with Christopher driving a 1964 Buick Wildcat in and around 1920's France?!?!? Maybe you're confusing that flick with "Back To The Future"...

...not to mention the 1985 Porsche he bought with Mary's money, or the fact Mary was playing "Planet Rock" (released 1986) on the drums with the band in the birthday party scene...

ThirdStrike said:

ThirdStrike said:

...ok, with Christopher driving a 1964 Buick Wildcat in and around 1920's France?!?!? Maybe you're confusing that flick with "Back To The Future"...

...not to mention the 1985 Porsche he bought with Mary's money, or the fact Mary was playing "Planet Rock" (released 1986) on the drums with the band in the birthday party scene...

boombox

Phase3 said:

Yeah, it's anachronistic, which works quite well, and actually quite stylish, visually.

In every other regard - as films go - it's a truly awful piece of filmmaking. Prince was certainly no film director, he had no understanding of cinematic language, or of how to get good performances from actors, bless him.

However, as an extended fan fiction piece it's a lot of fun to watch Prince prance, and of course the music is excellent.

So yeah, judged as a FILM it sucks donkey ass, but as a fan video, it's kind of cool.

Kind of like Bob Dylan's Masked And Anonymous, as a FILM it's staggeringly amateurish, but for MASSIVE Bob Dylan fans like myself, it's just fascinating to watch the man in action and see all the references peppered through the movie.

FragileUndertow said:

Phase3 said:

Is this movie suppose to take place in the 40's?

No it takes place in 1986. When Ms Wellington (I believe that's her name) gives Christopher the check to leave Mary. The check is dated 1986

Fair enough, happy to be corrected. Fashions look very 20s to my eye. We can at least all agree that it wasn't the 40s right

Last time I tried watching this movie again, I just couldn't get through it.

ian said:

FragileUndertow said:

Phase3 said: No it takes place in 1986. When Ms Wellington (I believe that's her name) gives Christopher the check to leave Mary. The check is dated 1986

Fair enough, happy to be corrected. Fashions look very 20s to my eye. We can at least all agree that it wasn't the 40s right

Last time I tried watching this movie again, I just couldn't get through it.

Years ago in some other thread i posted a screen shot. I cant see, to find it.

I think the picture was posted on tinypic.com which no longer host pics

Shit movie that has its moments and LOOKS beautiful. My favorite part is when he signs Girls & Boys on top of the piano and the Mountains video at the end.

Poplife88 said:

Shit movie that has its moments and LOOKS beautiful.

RIP Michael Ballhaus.

[Edited 6/5/20 20:45pm]

I looooove this movie. Its so cheezy, funny and great all at the same time. I usually put it on in the background while fiddling around with something at the house - like once a month at least. you should try it!

I've only watched it all the way through once. TBH, I kind-of preferred Graffiti Bridge to this. At least GB had plenty of performance pieces, and felt a bit more knowingly silly rather than pretentious. UTCM seems more like it aims for some art-housey thing and comprehensively misses. And with GB, I don't have to wait until the end credits for the most exciting bit.

Love this movie


This was my fave part of the movie, the wrecka stow scene

Ok, don't throw shit at me...but I like this movie more then I do "Purple Rain". But, that's like saying I like doggy better then misionary (by that I mean both are great), so...

ThirdStrike said:

Ok, don't throw shit at me...but I like this movie more then I do "Purple Rain". But, that's like saying I like doggy better then misionary (by that I mean both are great), so...

If I had to choose between watching either movie again right now, I'd choose Under the Cherry Moon.

And luv4u's screen capture above is definitely the highlight. Everyone in the audience was laughing at that part when I saw the movie at the cinema in 1986.

I agree with the Op, Phase 3. I think Under the Cherry Moon is an awesome movie. But like most things it takes context to appreciate it. Everyone has got to be in a certain mood to see a certain kind of movie. I like horror movies but not all the time. I like comedies and dramas but it depends on what mood I am in. But when I watch UTCM I am in a Prince mood. You are entering a world like no other. It's over the top in every way.

And that's what I like about it. Prince doesn't pretend to be something he's not. As he said in his Rolling Stone interview a few years later he knows he is no real director. But that's the point of this movie. It has very simple lessons that are dear to Prince. Like love always wins. Over money, over lust over everthing. It may be a simple lesson but it's at what is so important to Prince. And in this movie he goes all in trying to prove it. With the landscape shots, with the corny acting, with the amazing outfits; all drizzilled with awesome music.

I like to get slightly drunk when I watch this movie. Not because I am a big drinker but to just to let my mind relax and let myself laugh and not take things so seriously. And yes I have introduced this movie to my friends who are only so so into his music. It still makes an interesting party. Alot of silence, alot of wtf looks and in the end my crews have a good time.

This movie asks yourself to just let go before the screen goes from color to black and white. To be less critical and to just go with the flow. It's a wild ride from start to finish. With show stealing scenes like the Wreka Stow one where he says "U ever been 2 the streets of Miami?" with Tricky yelling "Yeah" really loud. The movies best parts are very subtle with Prince faces and attitude being the currency that pays in dividends. The mom scene with the pizza man delivery is another high point. I still say "party poop" like he does when someone dissapoints me. The rubber ducky who is a facist makes me snicker every time. And of course we learn that Prince is not afraid of anything. Except bats which makes him cry like a girl.

I could go on and on but you all get the point. But as entertaining as the movie is for me my favorite side of this movie is this is classic Prince. With money to spend at his height of fame. And does he do a purple rain 2? No way! This guy goes to Nice France and films a black and white movie with a nod to old movies and he conveys his most personal philosiphical messages which again all boil down to Love is more powerfull than all.

And if you don't like it then read the message he writes on the check when Mary's father tries to buy him off. And it aint Chinese!!

If you're not sure when it takes place and why it's black and white, it might not be a sign of a great film.

[Snip - luv4u]

I love it. My girlfriend likes it more than Purple Rain and Sign Of The Times movies.

I think it's a charming movie

I agree. It's his best movie. Better than Purple Rain

No way. PR has the music!