New Drama Series Wild Cherry Falls Flat with Overemphasis on Fashion, Not Substance
The glossy new thriller Wild Cherry promises much in its title alone: a wealthy community, scandals, and a dash of sass. Unfortunately, beneath the surface lies a shallow exploration of class and privilege that fails to deliver.
The show centers around four mothers and their daughters living at Richford Lake, a haven for ultra-wealthy families. The setup is familiar – think Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl – but the execution falls flat. Juliet, played by Eve Best, is portrayed as "old money," emphasizing reputation over real-world relevance.
The mother-daughter relationships are particularly problematic, with Juliet's character perpetuating tired stereotypes about wealthy women being shallow and vain. Her fixation on appearance is more a result of her social status than a nuanced exploration of the pressures faced by these characters.
As the story unfolds, we're introduced to Allegra, the 15-year-old daughter who creates an app that allows users to vote for their favorite photos. The "catalogue" quickly becomes a vehicle for showcasing the contestants' physical attributes, raising questions about objectification and the commodification of young women's bodies.
The show attempts to touch on deeper issues like privilege, classism, and the intersectionality of racism, but these themes are handled superficially. The drama relies more heavily on fashion moments – silk dresses, cashmere coats, and camel-colored tones dominate the narrative – rather than genuinely exploring the complexities of the characters' lives.
The character development is also lacking, with Gigi, the newcomer to the neighborhood, serving as a convenient foil for the other characters' shallow antics. Her storyline feels forced, and her attempts to fit in are met with ridicule from the community.
Ultimately, Wild Cherry's reliance on surface-level plot points and superficial themes makes it feel like an exercise in indulgent excess rather than a thoughtful exploration of class and privilege. While it might provide fleeting entertainment for those seeking a lighthearted, trashy thriller, its lack of substance means it will likely be forgotten once the winter evenings are over.
The glossy new thriller Wild Cherry promises much in its title alone: a wealthy community, scandals, and a dash of sass. Unfortunately, beneath the surface lies a shallow exploration of class and privilege that fails to deliver.
The show centers around four mothers and their daughters living at Richford Lake, a haven for ultra-wealthy families. The setup is familiar – think Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl – but the execution falls flat. Juliet, played by Eve Best, is portrayed as "old money," emphasizing reputation over real-world relevance.
The mother-daughter relationships are particularly problematic, with Juliet's character perpetuating tired stereotypes about wealthy women being shallow and vain. Her fixation on appearance is more a result of her social status than a nuanced exploration of the pressures faced by these characters.
As the story unfolds, we're introduced to Allegra, the 15-year-old daughter who creates an app that allows users to vote for their favorite photos. The "catalogue" quickly becomes a vehicle for showcasing the contestants' physical attributes, raising questions about objectification and the commodification of young women's bodies.
The show attempts to touch on deeper issues like privilege, classism, and the intersectionality of racism, but these themes are handled superficially. The drama relies more heavily on fashion moments – silk dresses, cashmere coats, and camel-colored tones dominate the narrative – rather than genuinely exploring the complexities of the characters' lives.
The character development is also lacking, with Gigi, the newcomer to the neighborhood, serving as a convenient foil for the other characters' shallow antics. Her storyline feels forced, and her attempts to fit in are met with ridicule from the community.
Ultimately, Wild Cherry's reliance on surface-level plot points and superficial themes makes it feel like an exercise in indulgent excess rather than a thoughtful exploration of class and privilege. While it might provide fleeting entertainment for those seeking a lighthearted, trashy thriller, its lack of substance means it will likely be forgotten once the winter evenings are over.