Cheri: Movie Review

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Au Revoir ‘Cheri’.

If the Queen were a prostitute then her name would most certainly be Mme Peloux, the infamous French courtesan featured in the novel Cheri by Colette. She was not the lead character in this novel, but played an integral part and in my opinion resembled the pompous lack of class I tend to relate to the royal family.

There is in fact a link between these two ladies and that is Stephan Frears. He was responsible for the widely successful Oscar winning film, “The Queen”, and has returned with yet another period piece. This time however he’s hopped across the English Channel.

Cheri tells the story of the influential courtesans that silently ruled the lives of some of Europe’s finest gentlemen, including Napoleon himself. Paris, and its surrounds, was their playground and their game of choice was of course high-class prostitution. They were frowned upon by the rest of society, but worshipped by their clients who afforded them their luxurious lifestyles and made them some of the wealthiest women of the era.

Lea de Lonval (Michelle Pfieffer) was considered the timeless beauty of her era and, along with her rivals, weaved her way into the hearts of hundreds of men. Her close relationship with Mme Peloux (Kathy Bates) brought her closer to what would eventually become the love of her life. Mme’s son, Fred (Rupert Friend), known to Lea as Cheri, was both divinely good looking and passionate. Lea is asked to educate the lad in the ways of courtship and manner, preparing him for eventual marriage to a wealthy young woman.

Together their passion and love begins to ignite uncontrollably. What starts off as a brief education turns into a 6-year relationship. It begins to wear heavy on Lea as she comes to terms with her age and the fact that a young man, who will never be hers, has stolen her heart. This curse burdens both of them and when Cheri is married off to Edmee (Felicity Jones) the torture of their hopeless love tears them apart.

Written by Academy award winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liasons) this film re-unites a filmmaking team that specializes in retelling periodic tales. “It’s the most extreme film I’ve ever made and the most original story about people living in a bubble”, says director Stephan Frears about his latest project. Colette’s writing is intelligent and layered and could prove difficult to translate to the screen, but in the hands of a craftsman the likes of Frears, her words turn into cinematic magic. You will notice the creator’s vision in the elaborate production design that lays down heavily contrasted elements between the two female leads. This is directly related to the period in which it is set and is done so beautifully.

Lea adorns herself and her home with a far more contemporary look and feel as opposed to Mme’s cluttered and tacky surroundings. Early twentieth century living was advancing at a rapid pace with modern innovations such as the telephone, photography and transport improving daily life immensely. This is clearly apparent in the contrast between Lea and Mme, one advancing with the times whilst the other remains glued to the past.

For both actresses, working with Stephan was a challenge as he seldom allows rehearsal periods, opting rather to rehears on the day of the shoot. You won’t pick this up in their performances that are both elegantly intrusive. Rupert Friend finds himself working with two of Hollywood’s finest, but holds his own in a role that places him in awkward positions alongside his much older co-star Michelle.

So what could be wrong with this film? Very little of course. The universal messages of this story remain as true today as they were back then. Michelle, who has aged somewhat herself, plays her part to perfection and depicts a woman who is not far removed from her own position in life, bar the prostitution.

For actresses who once held positions as the finest looking in the business it is a tall task coming to terms with their age, and in the final scene of “Cheri” this ideal is sprawled across the screen for all to see as Lea gazes at herself in the mirror, a shadow of her former glory, an old woman without love or family and only her past to remind her thereof.

It’s deep when it needs to be, and proves a wonderfully rich cultural experience.

Rating: ****
Running time: 86 min

Jasyn Howes
On Screen