For the seven seasons that the crime, drama, and mystery series “The Mentalist” aired on CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I rooted for the series’ main protagonist, Patrick Jane, portrayed by Emmy and two time Golden Globe nominee, Simon Baker (Breath), as he hunted down the malicious serial killer who murdered his wife and daughter – a man who was known only as “Red John.” At the outset of the series, Jane began working as a consultant for a branch of California law enforcement known as the CBI. The unit Patrick joined was the one which was originally assigned to the case of his murdered family members. Through the years, he becomes close to his CBI boss, Agent Teresa Lisbon, a role acquitted excellently by actress Robin Tunney (The Craft). When I saw that the film “Cherish” was going to be on the Sundance Channel, and that Tunney was the lead, I decided to watch it.
Tunney’s character Zoe is a music loving, socially awkward, computer graphics animator. She is unlucky in love. While at work, Zoe overhears her co-workers making plans to get together later that evening. There is even a flyer that has circulated around the office that contains the information as to the where, and what time, the get together is being held. Wanting to join in, she approaches Brynn, (Liz Phair) her boss, and inquires about the event. She is informed that it is an invite only get together. Brynn shreds the flyer with the information for the whereabouts of the event right in front of Zoe. Not to be deterred, Zoe removes the shredded paper from the garbage can, and pieces it back together. She is desperate to attend because Andrew, played by two time Golden Globe nominee, Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills, 90210), her office crush will be there.
At the bar, Andrew seeks Zoe out to talk with her, much to the disappointment of Brynn, and some of the other female co-workers. After a night where Zoe imbibes one too many drinks, he offers her a ride home, which she accepts. Zoe excuses herself to go to her car to get her cell phone. Inside her car, as Zoe reaches for her phone, a man, who has been obsessively stalking her, forces her to start up the engine and drive. While waiting at a red light, Zoe attempts to get the attention of a police officer. She manages to do so with her facial gestures, but when she informs her would be kidnapper that the cop is ordering her to pull over, he puts his foot on Zoe’s foot while it is on the gas. In the process she kills the officer, and crashes the car.
Zoe is arrested for vehicular homicide, and is found to be driving with a blood alcohol level that is twice the legal limit; a fact which garners the ire of the cops, who want to make her pay for taking the life of one of their own. The man whose actions actually caused the death of the police officer, and the subsequent crash, that landed Zoe in serious trouble, is nowhere to be found. There is no evidence to suggest the would be kidnapper was ever in her car in the first place. No one believes Zoe’s story. To make matters worse, she has a prior DWI, which she received in college. Fortunately for Zoe, her lawyer, a role acted by Saturday Night Live alum Nora Dunn, manages to get Zoe placed under house arrest, in order to delay the trial as long as possible. She will have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, and will be restricted to the loft her lawyer has arranged for her to live in. The loft totally lacks in amenities, and is also in an undesirable neighborhood.
During her house arrest Zoe spends her time roller skating around the floor, blasting music, and watching television. She also makes phone calls in an attempt to get some company to come over and visit her. Zoe eventually befriends her downstairs neighbor, Max (Ricardo Gil). The only problem is Max is disabled, and can’t walk up the stairs to spend time with her. The only other company she receives, besides the neighborhood delivery boy, is Daly, played by Grammy award winner, Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?). Nelson’s character is a technician. He is as socially inept and as lonely in his own private life as Zoe. Daly periodically stops by to make sure that her ankle bracelet has not been tampered with. As much as he attempts to keep things professional, he can’t help but fall in love with Zoe.
The relationship that’s built up over time between the two, as well as his unspoken love for her, is what leads to her receiving a small window of freedom. Nelson’s character, against his better judgment, manipulates the computer system that monitors the ankle bracelets, and takes the supreme risk of Zoe just taking off, to avoid facing her upcoming trial. He knows, as does she, that if found guilty, she could be facing as much as twenty years to life.
Will Zoe flee and leave Daly to face the consequences of not only losing his job, but receiving his own prison sentence? Does she have enough time to gather evidence against the person she feels has ruined her life by framing her? Is the stalker still watching her, waiting for his opportunity to finish what he started? Those questions will be answered by the film’s conclusion.
Written and directed by Finn Taylor, (Dream with the Fishes) “Cherish” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 14, 2002. The movie is parts comedy, drama, and thriller, and has a runtime of ninety-nine minutes. The acting is excellent, especially Tunney, and Tim Blake Nelson. In addition, the movie features a diverse soundtrack, loaded with hit songs, spanning from 1959 through the 1980s. Furthermore, there are three songs by Noe Venable, who is an experimental pop and folk singer, who has a loyal fan base in her native San Francisco, where the film takes place. If you are fans of either of the leads, then you’ll probably find it worth your time to watch it once.
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