Cherry is a very timely film since its leading character must decide if she is going to abort an unplanned pregnancy or go through with it.
Tribeca platforming this film does not absolve the fest for giving voice to anti-choice advocates. It is more important than ever to make sure that Roe v. Wade has a future. Films like Cherry, Unpregnant, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, and more are important because they add a voice to the conversation. However, there’s something more to this conversation. It is not just about abortion rights but it’s not. Without Roe in effect, you can also say goodbye to privacy rights. When privacy rights go away, conservatives will do whatever they please when it comes to your bedroom. Or worse, they’ll go as far as investigating your genitals upon going to the restroom. But I digress.
Cherry (Alex Trewhitt) is 11 weeks pregnant when she learns that she is expecting. This really speaks to the importance of Roe because there are states where, if the GOP has their way, she would be forced to carry the child to term. Conservatives talk a good deal about being pro-life but G-d forbid that the child is LGBTQ. At which point, conservatives are no longer pro-life. At the end of the day, conservatives are just really forcing people to give birth. Cherry’s boss (Joe Sachem) does not even believe her and fires her on the spot. With no income coming in, one would think this is what will make Cherry’s decision for her. You can look at her pending decision in two ways: she is running away from decision-making or she needs to grow up.
The film’s running time is well under a hour and a half. This helps the film in some ways but at the same time, it just feels too short for a film about a timely and important subject. I can’t fault the filmmakers for this because the budget probably played a role in this decision.
I’m not sure what to make of the film’s chances at acquisition. Studios all have a certain brand and I’m not too sure where this film fits in the bigger picture. Time will tell what happens.
Cherry might be a first feature but this film also adds another voice that needs to be heard in a larger conversation about abortion rights. Even though the film is timely, it is not going to be a film for everyone.
DIRECTOR: Sophie Galibert
SCREENWRITERS: Arthur Cohen, Sophie Galibert
CAST: Alex Trewhitt, Joe Sachem, Dan Schultz, Sandy Duarte, Alice Bang, Hannah Alline, Melinda DeKay, Angela Nicholas, Charlie S. Jensen, Darius Levanté
Cherry holds its world premiere during the 2022 Tribeca Festival in the Tribeca Online Premieres program. Grade: 3/5
Please subscribe to Solzy at the Movies on Substack.
