Key Points summary__ai-icon Nicôle Lecky's Wild Cherry is a captivating yet inconsistent film that delves into the hid...
- Nicôle Lecky's Wild Cherry is a captivating yet inconsistent film that delves into the hidden aspects of affluent youth and digital privacy.
- The series centers around the relationship between a mother and daughter against a setting of affluence, trickery, and unsettling storylines.
- Critiques mention excessively dramatic speech and a absence of direction, yet Lecky's originality continues to be a significant strength.
I had high hopes forNicôle Lecky’s Wild Cherry.
Her mini-series, Mood,was among the top shows I viewed in 2022 – so when I found out that she had written, directed, and starred in a new drama, I was excited.
And I remained excited, as the series kept me engaged with its complex plots that were skillfully connected, and fascinatingly dark.
That being said, Wild Cherry doesn't have the same impact.
It included all the components of a contemporary triumph – delving into the shadowy aspects of the online world, the distribution of private photographs, and the issues of social status, ethnicity, andgenderchallenges that continue to influence our societal operations.
Wild Cherry focuses on two mother-daughter dynamics as they deal with a challenging period. Affluent teenagers Grace (Imogen Faires) and Allegra (Amelia May) are the leaders of a paid photo album that includes themselves and their friends.
While their mothers, Lorna (Carmen Ejogo)and Juliet (Eve Best), gradually confront what is occurring, their individual lives become entangled in complex situations, resulting in significant tension among all parties.
At the same time, a troubling secondary storyline develops concerning one of the students from their private school.
Concealment, trickery, and illegal actions form a significant part of the activities in this affluent and elite area, where residents possess everything yet lack true fulfillment.
There were times when I felt envious of the girls' outfits (true Depop treasures), and wished for the same amount of space their fancy homes provided. However, I soon became thankful for a more modest way of life, with fewer places to conceal things and secrets to grow (benefits of a)London flatshare).
Lecky expresses the emptiness and detachment of what it could be like to live as someone extremely wealthy
A person with little to keep you grounded, but focused on party planning and others' affairs. And the show serves as a strong reminder that no matter how much money you spend on a costly education, nothing can protect your children from the harmful aspects of the internet.
Unlike Adolescence, which the show has been provisionally likened to, the tension never quite achieves the same level. It may not be fair to compare them as they are quite distinct in their approach. Nevertheless, to make a strong statement and encourage societal reflection, I believe you require that raw, authentic storytelling, which Wild Cherry lacks.
Maybe the conversation doesn't seem entirely genuine, as Lecky attempts to address many topics, particularly her examination of femininity. Her characters are teenage girls, while their mothers are in their mid-fifties. Lecky is 35 years old.
In a video that plays a key role in the story, one of the teenagers is shown dramatically vowing to 'cut' her friend, using language that doesn't seem natural for someone so young. It comes across as humorously exaggerated and overly deliberate, making it hard to believe it's spoken by a girl of that age.
Key Details: Wild Cherry
Director
Toby MacDonald
Writer
Nicôle Lecky
Cast
Eve Best, Carmen Ejogo, Imogen Faires, Amelia May, Sophie Winkleman, and Nicôle Lecky
Runtime
Six-part series, with each episode lasting 50 to 60 minutes
Release date
Wild Cherry can be streamed immediately on BBC iPlayer.
One of the factors contributing to the effectiveness of her earlier work is the precision in language and emotion, along with her skill in capturing a moment. This appears to occur when Lecky portrays characters closer to her own age and more broadly relatable compared to the elite group from Richford Lake.
The misleading 'ghost' applications featured on the show, which allow users to send messages and photos discreetly, have worried parents for a long time. In contrast, with Mood, it seemed as though Lecky was addressing a subject that was perfectly in line with current trends, as influencing and sponsored content were becoming more widely acknowledged sources of income for young women.
Lecky approaches the project from every possible angle – she even performs the title song – yet the entire production required more concentration and less lightheartedness, or perhaps the opposite. Wild Cherry seems caught between a serious drama and a modern take on Gossip Girl.
The conclusion highlights an important aspect of the power dynamics between men and women, but in my opinion, it feels too hurried and should have occurred earlier. I remain unconvinced by the solution these women choose, yet I am also not convinced there is a societal solution either.
I am eager to see what Lecky does next, as she has once again demonstrated that her creative talent is strong – although it could be used more wisely. Much like the community in Richford Lake might benefit from recalling, sometimes less is more.
Verdict
Wild Cherry possessed all the elements needed to become a contemporary hit, yet it falls short by not fully embracing its identity.
Wild Cherry can be watched online viaBBC iPlayer.
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