Susan Granger’s review of “Cheri” (Miramax Films)
While 21st century older women who enjoy decadent relationships with younger men are dubbed “cougars,” that cross-generational attraction has been around for many, many years. Indeed, the legendary French writer Colette (1873-1954), who reportedly had a clandestine affair with her stepson, scandalized society with the two novels on which this new Stephen Frears film is based.
Set in turn-of-the-century Paris, radiant Lea de Lonval (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a wealthy, retired, middle-aged courtesan who embarks on what she thinks will be a casual tryst with a callow, foppish 19 year-old playboy, “a graceful demon” called Cheri (Rupert Friend). His bitchy mother, Charlotte Peloux (scene-stealing Kathy Bates), a former courtesan and Lea’s colleague and rival, doesn’t object; in fact, she considers it an educational experience for him to become her sexual protégé. Surprisingly, six years later, the affair is still on. Lea fears growing old while Cheri fears growing up. But then scheming Charlotte announces that handsome Cheri is affianced to the lovely, virginal Edmee (Felicity Jones), an 18 year-old with a significant dowry and the daughter of Marie-Laure (Iben Hjejle), another ex-courtesan. Her lust unabated, beautifully fragile Lea retreats to the French Riviera, staunch in her refusal to give up her “naughty child.”
More than 20 years ago, Stephen Frears (“The Queen”) directed Michelle Pfeiffer in the far-better costume drama “Dangeous Liaisons,” which was also translated and adapted by Christopher Hampton. Now at age 51, Pfeiffer’s still gorgeous, as are Consolata Boyle’s elegant Belle Époque costumes and scenery, sumptuously photographed by Darius Khondji. But there’s a distinct unease about Pfeiffer’s performance that permeates and dilutes this sophisticated yet poignant concept.
As a side note, Frances Tomelty, Sting’s first wife and mother of his two eldest children, plays Pfeiffer’s maid, while Keith Richards’ ex, Anita Pallenberg, has a cameo as a fellow courtesan in a scene shot at Maxim’s in Paris. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Cheri” is a shallow, soufflé-light 6. It’s all about the wicked game of seduction and its aftermath.
