You are here:

Cherish

Cherish

Representation Score

7.5/10

Good

1998

Director

Stephen Jones

Runtime

7 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Cherish is a character-driven drama that finds its strength in its centralized LGBTQ+ perspective. By focusing on the internal landscape of a man mourning a male partner, the film offers a sincere look at queer intimacy and the process of moving forward after loss. However, the film's impact is limited by a lack of broader multi-layered depth. The narrative appears to follow a traditional structure that lacks significant racial diversity or a deconstruction of systemic cultural norms. Ultimately, while the film succeeds in providing a meaningful queer protagonist, it remains a narrow study of individual grief rather than a broad exploration of diverse identities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Cherish have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film centers entirely on the lived experience of a gay man navigating grief. By treating his identity with real depth rather than as a punchline, the story provides a meaningful depiction of same-sex intimacy.

How does Cherish portray gender?

Fair

The narrative focuses heavily on the emotional interiority of a male protagonist. While it avoids making the character a passive victim, it does not explicitly address or challenge traditional masculinity or gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Cherish?

Fair

The film appears to follow a traditional dramatic structure that may lack significant racial diversity. There is no explicit evidence of a multicultural ensemble or diverse casting.

How does Cherish represent religion and culture?

Good

The story prioritizes personal emotional reality over religious frameworks of mourning. It explores the complexities of personal truth through a secular, psychological lens of loss.

Does Cherish include disability representation?

Fair

Chronic illness serves as the primary catalyst for the plot. However, it remains unclear if the depiction avoids common narrative clichés or simply uses illness as a device to facilitate grief.

Present on Screen

  • Provides a meaningful, centralized depiction of queer identity and same-sex intimacy.
  • Avoids common clichés by giving the protagonist emotional depth and vulnerability.
  • Focuses on a sincere, character-driven exploration of grief and personal truth.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks evidence of racial diversity or a multicultural ensemble.
  • Does not explicitly engage with the deconstruction of gender hierarchies.
  • The use of illness as a plot device risks falling into predictable narrative clichés.

Official Synopsis

A gay man has lost his lover to a fatal illness and is trying to go on with his life. If only his preparations for a night of dancing weren't constantly reminding him of the one that he lost.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.