Under the Cherry Moon
Two cousins from Miami, Florida are in the Mediterranean, enjoying life by scamming money off of rich women. One day, they read about a young woman, Mary Sharon (Dame Kristin Scott Thomas), set to inherit fifty million dollars from her father. At first, Tricky (Jerome Benton) has Christopher Tracy (Prince) talked into romancing her for her money, but as he gets to know her, Christopher falls in love with her. This love comes between the cousins, and Tricky tells all about the plan.
The film earned $10.1M at the global box office.
5 wins & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Under the Cherry Moon (1986) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Prince's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Christopher Tracy and Tricky perform on the French Riviera, living as hustling gigolo musicians who romance wealthy women for money. Their world is carefree, shallow, and transactional.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Christopher encounters Mary Sharon, a beautiful heiress who is different from other women he's pursued. She resists his charms and represents a challenge he hasn't faced before, sparking genuine interest rather than just a con.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Christopher makes the active choice to seriously pursue Mary Sharon, not just for her money but to win her heart. He commits to the courtship despite knowing it may break his own rules about emotional involvement., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Christopher and Mary Sharon consummate their relationship and she falls in love with him. False victory: Christopher appears to have won both the girl and access to her fortune, but he's actually falling in love and compromising his hustler lifestyle., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mary Sharon discovers Christopher's initial intentions were mercenary. She feels betrayed and rejects him. Christopher loses both the con and the genuine love he'd found. His old life is revealed as empty, and his new life is destroyed., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Christopher decides to make a grand gesture to prove his love is real, abandoning the con entirely. He chooses authentic love over his hustler lifestyle, willing to sacrifice everything to win Mary Sharon back genuinely., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Under the Cherry Moon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Under the Cherry Moon against these established plot points, we can identify how Prince utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Under the Cherry Moon within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Christopher Tracy and Tricky perform on the French Riviera, living as hustling gigolo musicians who romance wealthy women for money. Their world is carefree, shallow, and transactional.
Theme
Tricky warns Christopher about falling in love, stating that their game only works if they keep their hearts out of it. The theme of love versus material gain is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Christopher and Tricky's con artist lifestyle in the glamorous French Riviera. They target wealthy women, perform at clubs, and live without genuine emotional connections. Christopher's charm and musical talent are their primary tools.
Disruption
Christopher encounters Mary Sharon, a beautiful heiress who is different from other women he's pursued. She resists his charms and represents a challenge he hasn't faced before, sparking genuine interest rather than just a con.
Resistance
Christopher debates pursuing Mary Sharon despite Tricky's warnings. He learns about her wealth and trust fund controlled by her father. Christopher oscillates between treating her as another mark and feeling genuine attraction. Mary Sharon's resistance intrigues him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Christopher makes the active choice to seriously pursue Mary Sharon, not just for her money but to win her heart. He commits to the courtship despite knowing it may break his own rules about emotional involvement.
Mirror World
Mary Sharon begins to open up to Christopher, showing vulnerability beneath her privileged exterior. Their developing relationship becomes the emotional center that will teach Christopher about genuine love versus exploitation.
Premise
The romantic courtship unfolds with Christopher using his charm and musical talents to win Mary Sharon. Elaborate seduction sequences, performances, and romantic moments. Christopher experiences genuine feelings while maintaining the façade of the con.
Midpoint
Christopher and Mary Sharon consummate their relationship and she falls in love with him. False victory: Christopher appears to have won both the girl and access to her fortune, but he's actually falling in love and compromising his hustler lifestyle.
Opposition
Mary Sharon's father Isaac discovers Christopher's true nature and intentions. He forbids the relationship and works to separate them. Tricky pressures Christopher to complete the con. Christopher's two worlds—genuine love and hustler lifestyle—collide and become incompatible.
Collapse
Mary Sharon discovers Christopher's initial intentions were mercenary. She feels betrayed and rejects him. Christopher loses both the con and the genuine love he'd found. His old life is revealed as empty, and his new life is destroyed.
Crisis
Christopher processes the loss and realizes he genuinely loves Mary Sharon. He confronts the emptiness of his hustler existence and understands what he's lost. Dark reflection on the cost of living without authentic connection.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Christopher decides to make a grand gesture to prove his love is real, abandoning the con entirely. He chooses authentic love over his hustler lifestyle, willing to sacrifice everything to win Mary Sharon back genuinely.
Synthesis
Christopher makes his final play to prove his love is genuine. Confrontation with Mary Sharon's father leads to tragic consequences. Christopher is shot by Isaac while trying to reach Mary Sharon at her birthday party, dying as he declares his love.
Transformation
Christopher dies having transformed from shallow hustler to someone capable of genuine love and sacrifice. Mary Sharon realizes his love was real. The closing image shows the cost of transformation—Christopher achieved authentic love but paid with his life.