"Is It Art or Is It Trash?" Meet-Up: "Under the Cherry Moon" (1986)

About this event

“Is It Art or Is It Trash?” Film Discussion Meet-Up: Prince’s "UNDER THE CHERRY MOON" (1986)

At a Portland Movie Club Meet-Up, just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.

Let's talk about movies! Join Movie Club Members and Hosts Victoria G. and David J. for what will be the second ever PMC Meet-Up of our discussion group “Is It Art or Is It Trash?” Celebrating divisive films over the decades. This time we dig into the 1980’s for Prince’s directorial debut: ”Under the Cherry Moon.” A bold visual experiment alternately considered self-indulgent, highly misjudged, and a staggeringly original vision.

It's up to you to decide! We’ll take a vote on whether you think the movie should be considered Art or Trash when we start. And then again at the end we’ll take another to see if any minds have changed.

Here's how the Portland Movie Club Meet-Ups work:

• Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet . You don't have to watch it to join us, but it'll likely be more fun if you do.

• We won’t discourage you from taking notes to help you remember your most inspired observations. But this is a social event where everyone gets to speak their mind and have fun, and not a college lecture (“zzzzzz….”) .

• We’ll meet at Breakside Brewery in Beaverton at 2pm on the scheduled date. We typically have signs or relevant books or memorabilia at our table(s), and sometimes we even wear colorful antennae if the movie we are celebrating demands it (e.g. “Real Genius” or “Robot Monster”).

• We'll begin by going around and introducing ourselves. Then we’ll provide a quick summary of the film's development, suggest potential topics, and dive into the group discussion.

A little more about “Under the Cherry Moon:” Prince plays a pianist at an elite lounge, which is the perfect stage for him to launch a scam courting a revolving series of wealthy women, alongside his buddy Tricky (yes, Tricky!). Never mind that Tricky is also in a relationship with their landlord, and the pair are perpetually on the verge of being evicted. Before you can say it's “The Lady Eve” with the genders swapped, or “Wow!” what a perfect set-up for a lowbrow 1980’s situation comedy, the audience is launched into a visually extravagant collaboration between Prince, and the famed German cinematographer Michael Balhaus. It's worth noting that Kristin Scott Thomas is featured in her cinematic debut. And that the prominent playwright, stage director and occasional movie villain (“Octopussy,” “Rambo: First Blood Part 2”) Steven Berkoff is also in the cast.

As we prefer for this Meet-Up Group subject, the film’s reception was highly divisive. Nominated for multiple Golden Raspberry Awards, it tied with Best Picture - or is that Worst Picture? - with “Howard the Duck.” (Another film that would be a perfect choice for this particular Meet-Up.) And dis-honored Prince for his acting. A growing line-up of film reviewers and historians have since reassessed and praised the originality and daring of the film. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas called it "a cinematic manifestation of Prince's impish smile come to life, played out on screen in 100 glorious (but not always coherent) minutes."

Viewing Options: Streaming options currently include Amazon prime Video and Apple TV. But like all streaming options, these constantly vary. When we decided on this film it was available more widely and may be again in the month of November. It is also available on Blu-ray and DVD and previously made available on both the VHS and LaserDisc formats. Movie Madness would be a good place to search for a rental copy.

Trigger Notes: We direct you to the “Does the Dog Die” website for a list of elements in this movie some may find offensive. https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/21533

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From Portland Movie Club