Review of Chéri (2009) by Walter M — 24 Sep 2010
In "Cheri," Lea de Lonval(Michelle Pfeiffer) is a wealthy and aging courtesan whose list of friends has dwindled over the years down to just her enemies. One such, Madame Peloux(Kathy Bates), has a 19-year old son, Cheri(Rupert Friend), who is tired of being slothful and decadent but that does not stop him from accepting an invitation from Lea to go to Normandy. Six years later, they are still together and the world has not come to an end as a result. But then Madame Peloux wants grandchildren and arranges a marriage with Marie Laure(Iben Hjejle) for Cheri to marry her daughter Edmee(Felicity Jones).
With an unexpected ending, "Cheri," directed by Stephen Frears, is a fine recreation of Belle Epoque France where no amount of money could buy a reputation but could it buy happiness? And I liked the older woman-younger man interplay that resonates to the modern day. However, I kept on waiting for the movie to truly come alive, to take on some spirit to match the sardonic narration, but it never quite does. I suspect some of this has to do with Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead, an actress I have always been ambiguous about. Oh, and a little eroticism would not have hurt anybody, would it?
This review of Chéri (2009) was written by Walter M on 24 Sep 2010.
Chéri has generally received mixed reviews.
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