The Popkorn Junkie

First of all, when film companies send a motion picture into 'limited release' (usually suggesting it will only be shown in NY/LA), they are trying to pull one over on the public. There is always a way to see a movie before it opens wide. I don't live anywhere near New York or Los Angeles and I had zero trouble seeing "Cherish", though I did have to pull some strings with some friends of mine. Alas, I relayed all of this information to you in an effort to try and show how much effort I could have spent trying to watch this film. I have been a huge Tim Blake Nelson fan, after starring in "O Brother Where Art Thou" and directing "O". Did I enjoy this film that I spent so much time trying to see? Well, kind of.

Robin Tunney stars as Zoe Adler, a 29-year-old computer animator who is framed by her stalker and made to look like she murdered a police officer. Instead of sending her to prison (I really don't know why they didn't other than they must have assumed she posed no serious threat to society), Zoe is placed under house arrest. And, eventually, she makes a connection with Tim Blake Nelson, a local deputy. Is it a romantic connection? Go check the film out and see for yourself.

Some aspects of this film are pure brilliance. When Zoe is placed under the 2-year sentence, she finds new and inventive ways to entertain herself, having always relied on other people for companionship. Tunney is fantastic as Zoe, going from a shallow, emotionally handicapped woman into a strong willed, inventive, and loving woman. She waves to neighborhood children from the window of her apartment, and even strikes a friendship with one of her neighbors, confined to a wheelchair.

Though there are several prominent names associated with the film, it is strictly about Zoe. Tim Blake Nelson's character is key and vital also, but you could take away every character in the film except for Zoe and still have something worth watching. So, what did I not like about this picture? Hmmm, well, the most glaring defect of the film was that it was too unbelievable for a film that was not suppose to be a fantasy. For starters, as I mentioned before, people who murder police officers are not usually sentenced to a mild house arrest, even if it is for two years. And, though we see that Zoe is a very shallow person in the beginning, she doesn't seem as shallow as she should be to be placed in her life-altering situation. I guess I just had some problems with the script and the direction in which the film moved along.

Writer/Director Finn Taylor has crafted an inventive and entertaining film about a woman who completely transforms herself. It is similar to "Life As A House" in that Robin Tunney goes through much the same transformation as Kevin Kline did, minus the fatal illness and reconnection with offspring. All performances in the film are enjoyable, especially Jason Priestley as Zoe's co-worker and Ricardo Gil as Zoe's neighbor. Indie music goddess Liz Phair also pops up in a slight cameo as Zoe's unbelievably cool (almost too cool, it seems) boss. Finalizing this review, there are some minor problems with this film, but the entertainment level is high and is high enough to receive a positive recommendation. Don't expect a miracle when watching this film, but try to expect a good time.

-- Billy Ray ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

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