Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 04/08/2009(France),
Release Date: 10/20/2009
SubTitles: French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 93 Minutes
Flags: Not For Children, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations, Drug Content
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
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 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, All Movie Guide
;)
