Cherish (2002)

Director:

Finn Taylor

Writer (WGA):

Finn Taylor (written by)

Release Date:

17 January 2003 (South Korea)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Thriller | Mystery

Tagline:

She'd get out more if it wasn't a felony.

Plot:

After a martini-induced rampage, a fantasy-prone young woman is placed under house arrest.

Plot Keywords:

House Arrest | Stalker | 1980s | Character Study | Electronic Bracelet

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Brad Hunt	...	D.J.
Robin Tunney	...	Zoe
Liz Phair	...	Brynn
Lindsay Crouse	...	Therapist
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Daly
Kelvin Han Yee	...	Officer Yee
Jason Priestley	...	Andrew
Karena Davis	...	Woman in Bar
Scott Breitenstein	...	Officer Ruiz
Tim Griffin	...	Officer Griffin
Kathleen Stefano	...	Head Prison Guard
Stephen Polk	...	Joyce
Nora Dunn	...	Bell
Ricardo Gil	...	Max
Kenny Kwong	...	Yung

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Finland:K-11 (video rating) | France:-12 (video rating) | USA:R (certificate #38935) | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

3 Ring Circus Films

Trivia:

This movie was in release for only 21 days

Movie Connections:

References Play Misty for Me (1971)

Soundtrack:

Happy Together

An independent sleeper to 'Cherish'

Fine breakthrough performance by Robin Tunney ("The Craft") and 80's soundtrack drives this independent sleeper. Tunney plays a computer animator named Zoe who likes to fantasize and listen to 80's pop music. One night, Zoe's life changes for the worse after a stranger hops in her car and makes her run over a police officer by accident and he gets away. As a result, she finds herself under house arrest with an electronic bracelet uncomfortably attached to her ankle and limited to 57 feet of space in a run-down apartment until her trial. While dealing with confinement and solitude she tries to improvise. A parole officer (Tim Blake Nelson) checks up on Zoe quite frequently and even tries to help her find the assailant responsible. And yes, there's chemistry between the two. Want more info? You'll have to see this movie for yourself.

What makes "Cherish" entertaining is that this movie revolves around Zoe. Writer/director Finn Taylor wants us to identify with Zoe. We shouldn't laugh at her, but with her and to sympathize with her. She uses music as a tool, a way to overcome misery. In fact, just about every character uses music in their own way. For those who love music are in for a treat. The soundtrack contains songs by Hall & Oates, Soft Cell, Modern English and Tom Petty to name a few.

If you're tired of summer blockbusters and want to see something different and entertaining, this is the movie to track down for the whole family. That is, if it's playing in your area. My evaluation: *** out of ****.