CHERRY 2000

US, 1988, 93 minutes, Colour.
Melanie Griffith, Ben Johnson, Tim Thomerson, David Andrews, Brion James.
Directed by Steve de Jarnatt.

Cherry 2000 is a science fiction feature, an exploration of the future in the Mad Max tradition. Melanie Griffith is a strong tracker, in the tradition of Ben Johnson who is in the Zone. Tim Thomason is Lester, the exploitive leader in the Zone. David Andrews is Sam Treadwell, a future yuppy whose main relationship is with a robot, Cherry 2000.

The film has touches of exploitation. However, it is one of those pop fables about future society, the place of machines, human emotions. It also highlights the violent society of the future. The film is particularly strong in its production design and set design. It was directed by Steve de Jarnett, writer and director of the nuclear fable, Miracle Mile.

1.Enjoyable thriller? Science fiction fable?

2.The future, the cities, robots and machines, technology? The desert, the Zone? Decor and design? Special effects? Score?

3.The title, the focus on the robots and human relationship with robots?

4.Sam Treadwell: his work, executive, his friends, social life? The clubs of the future? Sleazy tone? His relationship with Cherry 2000 - and male exploitation and the Barbie Doll style? Her malfunctioning? His quest, information, finding the tracker, surprised by E. Johnson? Going with her, the adventures in the car, the dangers, breaking through barriers? Handling a gun? The tunnel and the drain? The encounter with Jake, his advice, leadership? In the desert with Lester? Finding Elaine and the memories of the past? Infiltrating the group, the attack and the burning? The pursuit, the finding of the robot? Taking her, the escape on the plane, his going back for E. Johnson? Falling in love with a human being?

5.E. Johnson, tracker, her training, her decision to take on Sam's quest, rescuing him, the attacks in the city, going through the barrier, the car, the desert, the crane and the car, the drain? Friendship with Jake? Clash with Lester and his group? The plane, her confronting the group, being rescued by Sam? Having a brain and being a human being rather than a robot?

6.Jake, his past experience, his wisdom? Helping in the mission? The contrast with Snappy and the girl? Their betrayal?

7.Lester, his role in the Zone, his followers, totalitarian? Elaine and her glamour, change of values? The confrontations?

8.The thugs in the city, the confrontation with Sam? A violent future?

9.The picture of the American future? The collapse of society? Values? Behaviour? The film as an entertaining fable?