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I'm positive that this is not an original observation on my part (but I'm too lazy to Google it, despite being on a computer at this very moment), but did Prince invent the emoji? In his song titles, Prince would often substitute words with letters and symbols (i.e., U for "you," 2 for "to" or "two," a drawing of an eye for "I," etc.) That carries over to this film, where the first note his character, Christoper Tracy, receives reads, "She wants U. Ask for the moon." The song "Love or Money" (the B-side for the song "Kiss" from the accompanying soundtrack for this movie, Parade) is billed in the credits as "♥ or $." Even the subtitles (on Amazon Prime, anyway) utilize this Prince alphabet, as well. I disagree that it was a mistake not to film this movie in color. This movie has a weird timelessness in black in white that, if it was filmed in color, would have dated this film horribly. Under the Cherry Moon feels like an issue of Interview magazine in movie form, so the black and white film choice seems in-line with that high-fashion aesthetic, as well. A couple of times during this film, we see a middle aged man in a hat with two beautiful women in tow. Were they supposed to be the Greek chorus of this film? Or is Nice just that small? The best part of this movie for me was Prince taking a bath, with a hat on, yelling "FASCIST!" while dive-bombing a rubber duck in rose pedal water. The rose pedal budget for this film, by the way, must have been insane. Paul, you and June MUST watch Purple Rain. It's a great, albeit slightly flawed film that also features Morris Day (who almost steals the show). However, if and when you guys watch this movie, it must be a double feature that also includes the sequel Graffiti Bridge, which I guarantee will floor you beyond anything you've witnessed in Under the Cherry Moon. Graffiti Bridge, Paul: I shit you not.

Well this can definitely fall under the HDTGM heading of "vanity projects that were destined to be bad." I mean you have Prince at an incredibly peak in his career after Purple Rain came out to massive success on all fronts. From box office returns to critical reviews to Prince winning an Oscar for it and the soundtrack becoming one of the best selling albums of all time. So when he tells a studio "I wanna make a black and white movie that's American Gigolo meets Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with a dab of The Cotton Club thrown in, and it's set in Paris. Oh and I'm going to direct it." Of course the studio wasn't going to say to no but I have to assume someone had to be a little uncertain about it working out like they hoped. And what Paul was talking about in regards to the first Evening With Kevin Smith special where he talked about doing some work with Prince and finding out that Prince had literally hundreds of songs that had been recorded, dozens of music videos had been filmed many on Prince's own dime, and they were just never released because either Prince changed his mind about doing so or the studio was interested in releasing them with whatever current album Prince was working on. You can find it on Youtube searching their names but it's only in 10 minute segments.

I’m sure this cinematic hairball is directly responsible for nixing any and all chances Idris Elba had to play James Bond.

It’s jarring how quickly this movie goes from throwback “Martin-and-Lewis”-esque romantic caper to “Ripped from the Headlines” reminder of systemic racism at the end. I mean, Christopher was straight up ASSASSINATED by a uniformed officer! Shot in the back, and he was not even fleeing law enforcement...just running to his lover. Granted there were no body-cams in in 1986, but I hope there was at least a grand jury investigation into Christopher’s murder. I’m certain I’m not the only one who initially thought his death was really just some scheme he devised to make off with the girl (you now, bullet proof vest, ketchup in the mouth, etc, etc, then show up on the beach with the girl in the final reveal), but in the end, I’m kinda glad his character did die because the Prince and the Revolution song played from Heaven is probably the best part of the movie.

I think my biggest complaint about this movie is I wish there were more songs. Songs would kind of start and not really go anywhere. So...if anyone wants to post their favorite Prince songs here, I’d love to hear them

I mean, yea. That's how I became a superfan. Haha. It was like, I knew his hits. Started checking out more and more and couldn't stop thinking about him and the songs. He's a fascinating and really complex guy. One of my best friends wrote a biography of Prince and there are so many stories. Juxtaposition is a good word, because he tends to be a juxtaposition of so many conflicting things. That's what's so fascinating. Cherry Moon has a lot of the themes that show up in all of Prince's music and art at the time. Rich/poor, seduction/sex, jokes, androgyny, style. And as Jason said, rascally. That's why I loved the film. I know it's not great and probably could have used some co-director helping guide it better, but it is so full-on Prince in so many ways.

A couple months back, a bunch of us forum folks watched and discussed Purple Rain, and something that struck me watching that movie, and something that continues in Cherry Moon, is that Prince seemed to be completely unafraid of coming off as the bad guy in movies that centered around him. This is especially evident in Purple Rain where his character, The Kid, is extremely flawed and problematic. I think it would be tempting for a musician at the height of their fame to want to be portrayed on film as a sort of idealized version of themselves, and I find it absolutely fascinating that Prince was unafraid to play the more unsavory characters and allow his co-stars to play the moral centers. Similarly, as discussed in the podcast, I always think it's endearing when celebrities allow themselves to come off as goofballs. Especially for someone like Prince dabbles with artifice. It's an interesting juxtaposition to see someone who is both acutely aware of their carefully calculated image and also doesn't really seem to care if that image is slightly tarnished. Honestly, the more I think about Prince, the more I like him.

I haven’t had time to watch the movie yet, but it’s on my list. If it’s not on a service I subscribe to I don’t always watch them, but this one sounds like a lot of fun (I did listen to the episode)! i did check out your survey (I didn’t take it since I haven’t watched the movie) and it seems very thorough. Great work!

I just want it known I will pay double for a book with purple paper? Also this now makes me think of that scene in Legally Blonde with Else's resume which is pink and scented!

I wish they had talked about the bizarre premiere that this movie had because it is so in-line with how bizarre Under The Cherry Moon is. MTV held a contest for one lucky winner to host the premiere in their hometown. The winner, Lisa Barber, was from Sheridan, Wyoming...not exactly a big city able to handle the logistics of hosting a movie premiere and a concert by Prince and the Revolution. The whole thing was a mess, but came together, much like Under the Cherry Moon. In fact, it was so wild, the story was optioned to become a film starring Elizabeth Banks, but that’s unlikely to happen now. The whole wacky story can be found here: https://ultimateprince.com/prince-under-the-cherry-moon-premiere/

I always feel very sensitive and protective about Prince and his death. My mother also died the same way. She accidentally forgot her fentanyl pain patch was still on or it never came off ( we don't know) she put a second one on before bed and fell into a coma. She died about 24 hours after I found her. I'm sorry to bring everyone down by talking about this but I remember being so devastated when I heard how Prince had died. It's such a dangerous medication and my mother was on it under a doctor's orders I don't even want to fathom the dangers of the stuff on the street. Rolling Stone did a really good article on the music industry and fentanyl. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/musics-fentanyl-crisis-inside-the-drug-that-killed-prince-and-tom-petty-666019/ Again sorry to destroy to tone of the board I just don't know how to discuss Prince and not talk about this.

I take affront with Jason saying Purple Rain is a better movie. Under a Cherry Moon is by FAR the better film. Maybe I just really hate The Kid the character he plays in Purple Rain but I always feel like it's just a depressing watch except for the music parts. Oh and seeing that lady get thrown in a dumpster. That will never not be so crazy it doesn't delight me.

I sort of have a Prince story. Not sure if I should tell it but I will, you guys just be cool. I used to work at a book publisher and we did a book with him. And the contracts person told me that his reps asked that the book contract be printed on purple paper. She said she didn’t have any and I was like, you better get some. But I think she told them no. And this makes me sad. Especially since he died. Like was it too much to go to Office Max and get some colored paper? I bet I would have made the end of his life better.

Quick correction as I’m listening, Paul says during the scene where Prince buys flowers that “he doesn’t even attempt to speak French.” That he just points at the flowers and says, “ugh, ugh, ugh.” However, Prince is actually speaking French here — even if it’s pretty remedial. The French word for “one” is “un.” By pointing at the bouquets and saying “un,” he’s essentially saying, “One of those, one of those, and one of those.” It’s a super easy mistake to make with American ears, and he doesn’t say “please” or “thank you,” but I felt like it was worth pointing out that Prince *was” making an effort.