MovieChat Forums > Cherry (2011) Discussion > seriously?

seriously?

posted 13 years ago by frozen_crow
29 replies | jump to latest

So I just watched this movie, and for the most part I enjoyed it, but there is something about it that bothers me. Throughout, there's downplay upon the age of Beth, being just 14.

Lets look at this logically. Typically, most highschool freshmen are around the age of 13-15. Most high school seniors are 17-19. If Aaron was 17 and just starting college, and she's 14, and I'm guessing in high school, what exactly was wrong with them dating? Keep in mind, I said dating, not having sex.

In nearly every highschool movie, as well as real life, seniors date freshmen all the time. I honestly don't understand what was the problem with the charactors in the movie.

Sure she wanted sex, but I don't think she really wanted it, just a rebelious teen trying to make mommy notice her. He wasn't very thrilled about having sex either, and bulked at nearly every opportunity he had. I don't see any reason why a 17 year old should be so repulsed by the idea of being with a 14 year old, again, I didn't say having sex.

At first, when the two youngsters met, I thought perhaps the mother brought him home to hook up with her daughter, because he was such a nice guy. Perhaps she was dying or something. Shame, coulda had a different affect on the movie.

In no way shape or form, am I advocating sex with or between minors, I'm just trying to figure out why he kept acting like she was half his age, when the mother whom he first wanted, was probably twice his.

[–] sane1216 13 years ago

For the most part I agree with you. I think he should've focused on the daughter or either moved on after she invited him over and then pretty much invited another guy into the house while he was sleeping on the couch. It seemed like at first Linda was just using him for his "nice guy" personality versus anything else. In the first 30 minutes of the film, I don't really understand why she invited him over the first time. Doesn't really make much sense...it would've made more if she introduced him to her daughter and said something along the lines of, "Hey this is my daughter, I think you guys make a nice fit, you're nice and she's a rebel."

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] sane1216 13 years ago

@Getsuga Tenshou,

While I do not condone sex among minors. After researching statutory rape laws in all the states and learning that the story is loosely based on the director. The story would've taken place in Rhode Island and therefore the age difference between a 17 and 14 year old would not have been illegal until the boy turned 18. That is of course assuming they had sexual intercourse. By the end of the film, Beth was so infatuated with him she would've problem practiced abstinence to keep him out of trouble until she came of age. So I still think he was better off with her versus Linda. She was young and although she was fairly tainted by her mother's life, she was still impressionable and has a chance growing into a better woman given better male influences and possibly female influences from Aaron, Wes and Aaron's mom should she had desired to become part of his family.

[–] Jonnydoe01 13 years ago

Eh- not really... There are many exceptions to the law.
The older you get the less lenient they are. Do you really think that Miley Cyrus was only "hugging" and "kissing" her 20 something year old boyfriends?

[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

^ if miley cyrus did have sex with those guys, those guys must be very brave. just imagine, she and her bf gets in a fight, she goes to the cops and said they had sex, bam! the guy goes to jail. lol

[–] sane1216 13 years ago

Not condoning and being ignorant of sexual activity are two different things. In the state of the author, if memory serves, I don't think he was at the age limit restriction for this situation.

[–] sfstewart 13 years ago

I completely agree. It was only a 3 year age difference. It made more sense for the two of them to be together than him and her mom.

[–] pgodlewski 13 years ago

Yeah. If this was an European film, the guy would have been like 22. But with stars like Kyle Gallner, the film was aimed at the big audience (since it seems like Kyle is blooming with all these upcoming releases). And we all know that the bigger the audience the more people would call the pedophilia police.

[–] runeman220 13 years ago

I personally think he should have pursued beth. the age difference only matters because its socially (and maybe legaly) wrong in america for minors to have sex. i watched it on netflix and think he had feeling for both of them. it seemed he had a connection with beth and a friendship with linda and wanted to have sex with linda. he finally did and didnt like it. but that was probably just the circumstances. i dont agree with you that she wanted sex with aaron to get her mothers attention. she had her mothers mouth and attitude but she was still an impressionable 14 year old in love for the first time. she was the character i sympathized with the most because she said she would wait for aaron even though she was really in love with him. that is my opinion. please reply to this if you want.

[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

only illegal if they have sex. so if they hug, kiss, make out it's legal. the girl could've been 13 and the guy 20 and still legal.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

^^^ so if your sister was molested by another teenager it's ok? but since it's by someone older it's not? there have been cases on the news where teenagers in schools rape other teenagers.

yeah whoever molested your sister should be shot. but hating on "everyone" who is older and dating someone younger and think they are creeps is an inaccurate generalization.

so hypothetically speaking, if your sister was 22, an adult, and she was sexually assaulted by another adult. does that mean in your mind, she's never safe dating another adult? and you will feel safer if she dates a younger teenager?

use some common sense for once and not paint everyone with the same brush. or the only person you're pissing on is yourself.

[–] thory-1 13 years ago

Sick, perverted, creep... I've reported you to the proper authorities and I'm sure others with a conscience have as well. I hope you burn in Hell, coward. My little sister was molested around that age and people like you condoning this behavior literally make me ill. Piss on you, scumbag.
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LOL, I'm sure the "proper authorities" started laughing hysterically after you hung up the phone. This is a discussion board about a MOVIE. Without even taking into account that some of the people discussing are from different countries with entirely different laws. Your ignorance makes you the scumbag.

[–] tony419 13 years ago

Who does a minor define these days, if a 14 year old has a functioning mindset of an 18 year old?

[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

^ actual age based on birth date obviously.

[–] tony419 13 years ago

I meant, in this day and age, who are we kidding? The average american 14yr old knows and has experienced as much as the average 18yr. So just because one has spent 14yrs on earth and another has spent 18yrs on earth, does the figure alone make the former a minor? Really, think about. Beth is doing drugs, almost having sex, cursing and swearing, taking care of her irresponsible mother, fully aware of her sexuality, etc, what then "defines" her as a minor? Her age, really, a number? Her mind is that of an adult, 14yrs is just a measurement of time, not maturity. Kinda reminds me of the R. Kelly case; a minor is peed on, with her permission. R. Kelly is guilty, i know, but the girl isn't? Because "she's a minor"? I don't think so.

Now that we know who you are, I know who I am. - Mr Glass (from one of the best films ever made!)

[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

^ well in the eye of the law, in most of usa under 18 is a minor. and the law isn't gonna change any time soon.

[–] tony419 13 years ago

I'm just saying it seems silly to me. The law is pointless at this point.

[–] indyrodeo9 13 years ago

^ well ppl still gotta obey the law lol

[–] actionmanrandell 12 years ago

what does that have to do with anything in most states the legal age of consent is 16
and anyways britt robertson wasnt 14 when she made this movie
she was 20

[–] fathomz 13 years ago

lets us not forget that parental consent can over rule a states age of consent laws. so even if she wasnt old enough to consent if mommy says its ok its ok :P

[–] actionmanrandell 12 years ago

that isnt true in most states the legal age of consent is 16 but that dont mean a parent can say its ok for a there 15 year old to sleep witha 20 year old that would be legal no matter what
parental consent does not trump law