Michele Pfeiffer (“Hairspray”) is an undeniable beauty. Those
distracted by her good looks sometimes forget that she is a skilled and accomplished actress.

Pfeiffer is splendid in “Cheri”, a costumer based upon the stories
“Cheri” and “The Last of Cheri” by French novelist Colette(“Gigi”). Pfeiffer is well cast as an aging courtesan
(that’s a high priced hooker to you and me) who is wise
in finance but unwise in love.

The story takes place in and around Paris in the early 1900s, the height of the decadent bell époque era. Lea de Lonval (Pfeiffer) has been enormously successful and
is nearing retirement. She has used her beauty and business
savvy to amass an impressive fortune, a beautiful home and a staff of loyal servants.

Lea’s friend/rival is Charlotte Peloux (Kathy Bates from
“Revolutionary Road”) who, unlike Lea, has a child. This handsome but irresponsible 19-year-old is Cheri, played by Rupert
Friend (“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”).

Cheri is a tomcat in need of reining in. Lea volunteers to take him in for a time, getting him out from under his mother’s apron strings in hopes the lad will mature. But in a classic case of
bad timing, they fall in love and engage in a torrid affair.

Charlotte is appalled. (Yes, even whores have their unique moral code.) She arranges for Cheri to marry the young and wealthy daughter or another courtesan and the couple moves away
leaving both Lea and Cheri heartbroken.

“Cheri” marks the first collaboration between Pfeiffer, director Stephen Frears and screenwriter Christopher Hampton since they collaborated on the memorable film “Dangerous Liaisons” in 1988.

Unfortunately, “Cheri” has none of the emotionally affecting characteristics of that terrific movie. The main reason is that the relationship between Cheri and Lea is simply not credible.

As portrayed by Friend, Cheri is callow, selfish and wimpy. It’s difficult to understand what Lea could possibly see in him other than his attractive youth. Even if his brooding good looks were enough to make us believe that Lea could fall in love with him, the
filmmakers fail to properly develop their relationship.

Still, you can’t fault Pfeiffer because her subtle performance is spot on. But she seems to live in a different cinematic universe than Bates’ character. Bates takes a broader approach making Charlotte seem a bit cartoonish by comparison.

“Cheri” intends to be a heartrending tragedy, but the real tragedy is that it is simply a beautiful looking misfire. (R) Rating: **1/2

*
Avoid at all costs

** Only if you're bored

*** Good movie

**** Well worth your time

***** Be sure to see it