In Colette’s time, romance novels were actually good lit. Or, it was just that 50 novels written by her during her long and adventurous lifetime were. Her third husband called her “a woman of genius,” and her many lovers often remained her lifelong friends. The new Miramax film, Cheri, is based on Colette’s novel of the same name. Second famous after Gigi, the story rotates around a love affair between a retired courtesan, Lea, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, and a young man, who she nicknamed Cheri (Rupert Friend). A son of her former colleague, Charlotte Peloux (absolutely delightful Kathy Bates), Cheri knows Lea since childhood and has a great affinity for her impeccable style, her strong character, and her pearls, which he covets, being ever so slightly effeminate in his leisurely ways. The affair unfolds in Belle Epoque Paris and on the sun-lit shores of Normandy, until Cheri’s ubiquitous mother decides it’s time for her to indulge in a grandmotherly role. Directed by Stephen Frears (“The Queen”) the film examines all shades of love and all kinds of suffering induced by it, unfolding in spectacular gardens, as if painted by Monet, and grand hotels and mansions furnished in Art Nouveau top to bottom. The film opens on June 16 in select theatres. Images: 1. Michelle Pfeiffer as Léa de Lonval, Rupert Friend as Chéri. Photo credit: Bruno Calvo. 2. Colette during her dancing career in a publicity still. Visit www.cheri-movie.com
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