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Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Rupert Friend, Felicity Jones, Iben Hjejle ... see more see more... , Frances Tomelty , Anita Pallenberg , Harriet Walter , Bette Bourne , Gaye Brown , Tom Burke , Nichola McAuliffe , Toby Kebbell , Hubert Tellegen , Joe Sheridan , Alain Churin , Andras Hamori , Rollo Weeks , Jack Walker , Natasha Cashman , Jim Bywater

Stephen Frears, the director who bolstered his international reputation with his Choderlos de Laclos adaptation Dangerous Liaisons (1988), returns to the annals of period intrigue over 20 years later ... read more read more...with this melodrama, which reunites him with Liasons scripter Christopher Hampton and star Michelle Pfeiffer. An adaptation of Colette's 1920 novel of the same name, the tale unfurls in late 19th century Paris -- La Belle Époque -- where numerous courtesans (or female companions of noblemen who occupied the royal courts) have worked their way up through the ranks of high society. Two retired courtesans, Charlotte Peloux (Kathy Bates) and Lea (Michelle Pfeiffer), meet for some routine gossip; Lea then meets Charlotte's hedonistic playboy son, nicknamed "Chéri" (Rupert Friend), and a passionate, erotic affair blossoms for the next six years between Lea and Chéri. Eventually, Charlotte makes an aggressive attempt to interfere with the situation by setting up an arranged marriage between Chéri and the virginal 18-year-old Edmée (Felicity Jones), the daughter of another ex-courtesan, Marie-Laure (Iben Hjejle). Lea feels irritated, and responds by seeking out young male lovers during a vacation in Biarritz, but the attached Chéri is not far behind, and in seemingly no time at all the two resume their bedroom liaisons. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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40% liked it

12,808 ratings

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51% liked it

131 critics

R, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Stephen Frears

Release Date: June 26, 2009

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DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (715)

  • hunterjt13
    July 13, 2011
    hunterjt13
    During la belle epoque, an old courtesan and a young man fall in love, but when the man must marry, their relationship reaches an impasse.
    Playwright/screenwriter Christopher Hampton collaborated with director Stephen Frears in 1988 to produce one of the most vicious battles of t... read morehe genders ever put to film, Dangerous Liaisons, and their most recent collaboration seems like the aborted product of their imitators or merely the vain scribblings of old men who can no longer hack it. In every way Cheri is a Frears/Hampton film, but in every way it falls short. In what few moments of manipulation there are, we see none of the mischievousness and guile that made Valmont a man we love to hate. In what few moments of sexual passion, we none of the allure of the young Uma Thurman (all of the actresses in Cheri must have had a no nudity clause). And in what few moments of loving tenderness in Cheri, there is none of the passion we saw in Tourvel and Valmont's torrid break-up and reunion. What remains is a sterile imitation of Dangerous Liaisons.
    And Cheri's motivations are occasionally mysterious. Even after he explains his reunion with Edmee, it still doesn't make any sense.
    I must say that this is a courageous role for Michelle Pfeiffer as much of Lea's character development takes place in the sad lines on her aging face. But this was but one ugly moment in a whole film in which she is made to look as beautiful as she can. Also, the script reduces the eminently talented Kathy Bates to a mere cartoon.
    Overall, see Dangerous Liaisons, and when you're done, you can say that you saw Cheri too.
  • PedroPauloA
    October 10, 2010
    PedroPauloA
    Indulge in a wicked game of seduction

    A romantic story of a young boy who is attracted by a prostitute older than him

    So the movie inst so bad, i thought it could have been worst, way worst, its an elegant movie, that is visually pleasing, nothing out of the o... read morerdinary. In terms of costume this movie is fabulous, amazing stylish outfits that should inspire a lot of people out there. In terms of the story, there isn't anything special, its a semi-erotic build up plot. But one thing has to be named, Pfeiffer is amazing!

    So is you want to go see it, its up to you. I don't recommend it to everyone, but if you like historical romances with a spice of sensuality , go ahead.

    Lea de Lonval : I can't criticize his character, mainly because he doesn't seem to have one!
  • blacksheepboy
    August 29, 2010
    blacksheepboy
    Although not really involving nor exactly compelling, this romantic drama based on Colette is at least charming, presenting a wonderful production design and a nice chemistry between Pfeiffer and Friend.
  • paulsandberg
    August 26, 2010
    paulsandberg
    In Cheri we have Michelle Pfeiffer giving a wonderful performance as an ageing courtisan in turn of the 20th century France (the Belle Epoque period).

    Unfortunately, the script and her co-lead Friend are very uneven, leaving Pfieffer and Kathy Bates on an island; a very pretty... read more island, but an island nonetheless.

    The emotional impact of the story falls a bit flat, in spite of a wonderful narration by the director Frears, who provides a straight forward direction, trying to wring some sense of drama to a script that frankly has very little.

    A fine example of not cashing in on the emotional currency of "star crossed love" is the film'ending, where a voiceover states that Friend goes off to fight in the "war to end all wars", survives and then, faced with a life without his soul mate, puts a gun to his head. Far better, I believe, would have been a scene where he puts his army uniform aside, gazes at a picture of Pfieffer, and then puts the gun to his head... fade to black.

    Still, for all its failings, the film, as carried by Pfieffer, along with the wonderful scenery, sets and costumes, delivers a reasonable bit of entertainment.
  • ceWEBrity
    December 25, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    My DVD stopped working about ten minutes before the end of the movie. I was not upset by this. The only way it could have enhanced the experience for me was if every awful person in this movie died in a fiery car accident, which seems unlikely and inappropriate, but at least some... read morething worth a damn would have happened.

    Because really, who CARES what happens in Cheri? I always feel so bad when films like this get made, because they're almost always expensive and no one seems to watch them but gay men and the shrinking number of people who are interested in period flicks. Unfortunately, my sympathies pretty much end there, since Cheri is an hour and a half in the doldrums which you could skip without a worry. There is absolutely no challenge here, no tension, nothing to keep a viewer interested in the movie. The worst possible scenario is that Michelle Pfeiffer's aging, though still beautiful, courtesan Lea is screwed out of her idealized boy-toy. Sure, they spent six supposedly happy (if not tumultuous) years together, but what's so special about Cheri that Lea would fall in love like she never had with any of her other clients? Is she afraid of losing her allure in her old age? Is she into his unkempt hair? Cheri himself is a dull character, a collection of over-sharp quips that seems to perfectly embody the script of the film, done no favors by Rupert Friend's reasonably attractive but utterly uncreative performance. All he seems to do in his scenes is spit venom all over whoever he's acting across from. No depth, no convincing tenderness or vulnerability. Pfeiffer herself fares better, though she has a serious problem finding a proper voice and accent - honestly, the rest of the cast falls prey to this, so maybe it's a foible in the direction. When Lea is curt, it seems a little more convincing, but her attempts at laying herself bare for this boy she loves simply don't do the trick in the face of the script's underdeveloped treatment of the relationship. Finally, Kathy Bates is the movie's third prominent character, one that could be read two ways. If Cheri is overly stagey and self-interested on purpose, her performance lampshades this impeccably, as she storms through the movie guffawing and grimacing with all the force in the world. If it's taking itself a little more seriously, she's nightmarishly bad and totally unsuited to period. In any event, she's bawdy and perversely hilarious in her too-tight corsets; her bosom seems to be lifted all the way to her chin and it's kind of great.

    I will grudgingly give the movie credit where credit is due. Darius Khondiji films the affair with generous light and color, and the film moves quickly with its short scenes and trim editing. Unfortunately, it goes to no real destination, and by the time the movie's over you feel like you've barely seen anything at all. Unless you are REALLY hard up for a 2009 period piece or a die hard Pfeiffer fan, I highly recommend you skip this one.
  • neverteaseaweasel
    December 22, 2009
    neverteaseaweasel
    Cheri does basically everything right, but somehow it just doesn't end up being that great. Its stylish, well shot and presented, and acting is great. I really liked the costumes and score. They were historical but also slightly off, sort of in the same vein as Sleepy Hollow or S... read moreweeny Todd, but much more vibrant and colorful. The story and characters themselves were interesting. Idk, I really have no complaints at all! There are so many compliments to give! Cheri really has no major flaws, but I just didn't fall in love with it. I have no idea why. Still, I would certainly deem it worth watching. Even if its not superb its certainly good. It just seems like it should be more.
  • romy861
    October 13, 2009
    romy861
    Okay. Watched it at the tail end of a very long flight overseas, so maybe I wasn't in the best mood to fully appreciate it. Never really felt much sympathy with either character in this, and abrupt ending was I guess at least not a cop out, but still unsatisfying.
  • smith44
    September 30, 2009
    smith44
    I loved this movie, if you like to watch beautiful people, in beautiful clothes and beautiful places, behaving badly than Cheri is the movie for you.
  • gator681
    September 25, 2010
    gator681
    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 decaden... read moret 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?
  • SC007
    October 8, 2010
    SC007
    Michelle Pfeiffer's performance is the best reason to watch this film. She shines throughout the film. Overall, the film was ok,but could have been so much better.
    Kathy Bates does a good job in her supporting role. The problem that I had with the film was Rupert Friend. He was m... read moreiscast in the tittle role. I think another actor in that role would have done a much better job. I think James Macavoy or Orlando Bloom would have been better in the role. Overall, the film is only worth watching cause of Michelle Pfeiffer.

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Whitty
July 3, 2009
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

A movie like Cheri needs the time and space of The Age of Innocence. Instead, it's rushed along in an hour and 40 minutes. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
July 1, 2009
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

It's the kind of refined, delicate acting Pfeiffer does so well, and it's a further reminder of how much we've missed her since she's been away. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
June 30, 2009
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

These two lovebirds are playfully mismatched, and that's just why they fall for each other. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
June 30, 2009
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

Cheri is a serviceable period piece, but not much more. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
June 29, 2009
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

Michelle Pfeiffer is quite good, but the script leaves Kathy Bates -- talented as she is -- with a bit of a cartoonish performance. Full Review

Ben Lyons
June 29, 2009
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

Where is the passion? Where is the heat? Full Review

Lou Lumenick
June 26, 2009
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

It's hard to believe that the smart Lea would remain interested for six hours, much less six years, with the vapid Chéri. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
June 26, 2009
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Like the exquisite costumes, the scenery is as gorgeous as most of the cast, providing the perfect backdrop for some unabashed escapism. Full Review

Colin Covert
June 26, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Chéri is a sad, intelligent film about coming of age late in life, looking in the mirror and wondering, "What happened?" Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
June 26, 2009
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

A smart and lushly romantic film adaptation of a Colette story of a doomed love.

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