Cherry by writer-director Stephen Elliott turns the industry on its head by showing that working in sex cinema can offer one hardworking young blonde an avenue towards self-actualization and independence. Shot sensuously by Darren Genet, Cherry follows Angelina (Lorelei Lee) from her minimum-wage laundromat job and violent stepfather all the way to San Francisco where she starts cocktail waiting at lap-dancing clubs under the name Cherry before landing work as an adult film studio intern under lipstick lesbian director Margaret (Heather Graham). Soon she starts performing girls-on-girls action as she’s mentored by lipstick lesbian director Margaret (Heather Graham). Soon enough she starts performing girls-on-girls action alongside males as part of her mentored adult film studio career – soon enough, as an adult film studio intern she becomes adept enough under Margaret to work at where adult films studios often mentor them into becoming independent career opportunities that would otherwise remain unknown to many in this industry.
Lee is an engaging actress, and her scenes with Franco, Dev Patel and Graham–whose flatironed locks hark back to Boogie Nights–are well shot. However, the film’s misleading message–pornography as an essential path toward feminist empowerment–is misplaced and its sexual scenes more banal than provocative.
After watching for awhile, this film can leave you asking “what was I watching for?” There are a few impressive scenes, but overall the plot lacks depth and is marred by predictable cliches that do nothing but drag down its story arc. Watching it felt more like watching an overly dramatic daytime soap opera with extra skin; one of the least satisfying films released this year.