There is only one thing trees are good for
in horror movies: producing paper. Much like the “Hanging Tree” in Hollow, these titular fruit bearing
limbs are decidedly bad news. Unfortunately, people still cling to the Luddite
notion deforestation is a bad thing. Otherwise, they might clear out the not-so
mythical satanic vegetation of David Keating’s Cherry Tree (trailer here), which screens as part of the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s
Scary Movies 9.
According to legend, the notorious cherry
tree was the focal point of a powerful coven of witches’ dark rituals. Of
course, the legend is more or less true, as teenaged Faith (at least she’s not
named Chastity) is about to find out. Sissy Young, her new, conspicuously evil
field hockey coach tells her so, straight out. Faith can save her
Leukemia-stricken single father Sean, if she agrees to get pregnant on the
coven’s behalf. They have a ritual to perform that requires a very special
sacrifice.
Faith accepts out of desperation, but is
quickly troubled by the supernatural circumstances of her lightning fast
pregnancy. She is also concerned about the disappearance of Brian, the nice chap
at school, whom she chose to hold up her end of the bargain with. She is also
unnerved to find Young seducing her newly cured father and generally hanging
around, acting creepy. As she figures out the full implications of her deal
with Young, she comes to understand what makes Faustian bargains so dashed
Faustian.
There is definitely a Rosemary’s Baby vibe to Cherry
Tree. Keating and screenwriter Brendan McCarthy steadily crank up the
paranoia, as Faith discovers how many respected townspeople are in on the
occult conspiracy. Yet, they give it a distinctively Pagan flavor all its own. Young’s
centipede familiars are also all kinds of creepy, in a slithery, cinematic kind
of way.
Arguably, the character of Faith is
problematically passive and Naomi Battrick’s portrayal is a bit bland. However,
Anna Walton exhibits massive horror movie chops as the slinky, sinister Young. She
chews the scenery like an old school Hammer pro and exudes an air of sexual
menace. She definitely embraces the Pagan spirit of it all. Although more
reserved, Sam Hazeldine is similarly terrific anchoring the film as Faith’s
ailing father.
