Under the Cherry Moon: Prince’s Romantic Gamble on the Riviera
Prince’s black-and-white follow-up to Purple Rain flopped on release. But filmed on the French Riviera, and soundtracked by Parade, it’s a misunderstood gem worth another look.
“Once upon a time in France, there lived a bad boy named Christopher Tracy. Only one thing mattered to Christopher… money.”
Released in July 1986, Under the Cherry Moon was Prince’s second film and his directorial debut. Shot in shimmering black and white on location in the South of France, the film followed the success of Purple Rain but failed to win over audiences or critics. Vanity project, misfire, flop — all terms thrown at it.
But for those who look closer, there’s something captivating about this romantic fable. Set between the opulent villas of Cannes and the perfume-laced backstreets of Grasse, Under the Cherry Moon plays like a New Wave homage wrapped in cheeky comedy and sealed with a classic soundtrack. It is a film we return to regularly.
What Is Under the Cherry Moon About?
The film follows Christopher Tracy (played by Prince), a charming playboy making a decadent living on the French Riviera. Alongside his partner-in-crime Tricky (Jerome Benton of The Time), Christopher seduces wealthy older women in exchange for access to their fortune and lifestyle.
That all changes when he meets Mary Sharon, an heiress played by a young Kristin Scott Thomas in her film debut. What starts as another scam turns into something real, as Christopher finds himself falling for Mary — much to the fury of her controlling father (Steven Berkoff). Class tensions, romantic games, and tragic missteps unfold against a Riviera backdrop of glamour and rebellion.
Cast and Characters
Prince as Christopher Tracy – enigmatic, seductive, tragic.
Jerome Benton as Tricky – comic relief and co-conspirator, bringing levity and mischief to every scene.
Kristin Scott Thomas as Mary Sharon – poised, elegant, and quietly fierce in her first major role.
Steven Berkoff as Isaac Sharon – the villainous father, dripping in disdain.
Jerome Benton arguably steals the film, his sharp timing and irreverence preventing the story from tipping into over-serious melodrama. While Prince may have been playing himself in Purple Rain, here he fully inhabits the role of Christopher — charming, lonely, and destined for heartbreak.
Where Was Under the Cherry Moon Filmed?
The film was shot entirely on location in the South of France, giving it a timeless and luxurious setting far removed from the Minneapolis grit of Purple Rain.
Key filming locations include:
Cannes, where scenes were filmed at the Carlton and Majestic hotels, along the Croisette promenade, and in various villas.
Circe Restaurant Beaulieu-sur-Mer - (I think) a high end restaurant featured in the film.
Villefranche - the old fisherman’s wharf that also appears in Never Say Never Again.
Grasse the hilltop perfume capital of Provence, offered cobbled streets and romantic backdrops.
A fleeting but glamorous shot of the Hotel Negresco in Nice adds to the film’s Riviera credentials.
The final scene — a dreamlike walk through Paris — was filmed at Place des Vosges in the Marais district.
This connection makes the film a stylish addition to any itinerary of movies set in the South of France — and one of the few to feature so many interiors of Riviera hotels transformed into decadent sets.
Is Under the Cherry Moon Any Good?
Yes! Under the Cherry Moon is camp, stylish, surreal, and often ridiculous — but deliberately so. If you’re looking for the gritty realism of Purple Rain, this won’t be for you. The dialogue walks a fine line between farce and poetry. The story blends screwball comedy with tragic romance. And the cinematography (shot in black and white) evokes everything from Casablanca to À Bout de Souffle.
Yes, it’s a “vanity project” — but one made with care, elegance, and flair. And the music elevates everything.
Christopher Tracy’s Parade: A Soundtrack That Deserved More
Released alongside the film, Parade was the eighth studio album by Prince and the final one with The Revolution. It includes some of his most underrated work — and one of his biggest hits.
The album plays like a cinematic score, tracking the emotional arc of the film:
“Christopher Tracy’s Parade” opens with fanfare.
“Girls & Boys” and “Life Can Be So Nice” bring funk and playfulness.
“Kiss” — the smash hit — is tucked right in the middle.
“Mountains” closes the film with a sense of wonder, and colour! It’s the only time the Revolution appear in the movie, but it doesn’t close the album.
“Sometimes it snows in April” a tear jerker of a song that accompanies the dramatic finale.
It also includes lesser-known gems like “Under the Cherry Moon”, “Anotherloverholenyohead”, and the unreleased-in-the-album track “Love or Money”, which is now available on Spotify.
Critically, the album fared better than the film, earning praise for its experimentation, orchestration, and stylistic range. It sold over 2 million copies worldwide and remains a fan favourite, even if it often gets overshadowed by Purple Rain or Sign o’ the Times.
Can You Stream Under the Cherry Moon?
Sadly, it’s not currently available on most major streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime Video. But it can be rented or purchased digitally via Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video UK.
Why It Matters Now
Under the Cherry Moon is more than a forgotten film — it’s a rare glimpse into a moment where a global superstar tried to do something truly different. It’s the meeting of French romanticism and Minneapolis funk. It’s a film about class, love, longing, and style — and an under-appreciated gem in the Prince discography.
Roger Ebert, the legendary movie critic offered grudging praise to this movie,
““Under the Cherry Moon” proves to be an utterly fascinating film thanks to the multiple contributions on both sides of the camera by Prince. As he demonstrated in “Purple Rain,” he is not a good actor in the conventional sense, but as a screen presence, he is undeniably captivating. Unlike a lot of music stars, he is able to rethink his mystique into cinematic terms in ways that are strangely compelling.”
When Prince died it was in April. In tribute London’s Hammersmith Odeon (a London Music landmark) changed their marquee to pay tribute. “Sometimes it snows in April.”
Hammersmith Odeon (Eventim Apollo) 23 April 2016
As part of a broader story of art, music, and film in the South of France, it holds a special place. And for fans of Prince, the Riviera, or offbeat cinema — it has to be on your watchlist.
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