My first review...

So here we go with my first critique for the blog!

Cheri (2009) Dir. Stephen Frears. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, Kathy Bates.

The return of Michelle Pfeiffer to acting in 2007 (with both Stardust and Hairspray) was definitely a welcome one. As one of Hollywood's most beautiful, enchanting actresses she is one of the very few who can feasibly maintain a successful career in film despite the inevitable lack of decent roles on offer for older women. Cheri touches upon the idea of the displacement of the older woman. What happens to the once young, alluring and popular lady as she ages and her looks, for which she is famed for, begin to fade? Unfortunately it is a subject that is not really explored in any depth highlighting the film's prime flaw.

Set in 1900s Paris, the film tells the story of an affair between a retired courtesan, Lea (Pfeiffer) and a flamboyant young man Cheri (Friend). Their long term but casual relationship is ended when Cheri becomes engaged to a much younger woman at which point the pair realise that perhaps they mean more to each other than was first presumed. The title character is an effete, shallow and not a particularly likable character with Friend looking fairly pretty throughout but never providing . Pfeiffer as Lea is more successful, subtley portraying a rising insecurity as she realises her time as one of the worlds most desirable courtesans is coming to a close. Despite the fact there relationship supposedly spans six years it is one that is entirely unconvincing as it is never really given any space to develop onscreen. On the contrary, a huge chunk of the story involves the two main characters separately yearning to be together which is clearly an issue for an audience who have little emotional investment. So, as with a number of themes and issues that are hinted at there is very little exploration of the couple's affair and like the film itself the whole situation comes across as empty and insignificant.

Any drama between the two main protagonists is further undermined by a consistent lightheartedness that runs throughout. Not to say that this comedy is not welcome however as the humour in the film provides the most entertaining moments (particularly some delightful scenes between Pfeiffer, Bates and their other eccentric acquaintances). The problem is that there is such a confused tone- it doesn't seem sure if it's a frivolous, sexy, Parisian romp or a genuine romantic, period drama. Despite an intelligent and worthy performance from Pfeiffer it not successful in either respects.

2/5