Chéri (2009)

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Christopher Hampton (written by)
Colette (novels)

Release Date:

8 April 2009 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In a game of seduction, never fall in love.

Plot:

The son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman who educated him in the ways of love.

Plot Keywords:

Courtesan | Love | 19th Century | Opening Narration | Tuxedo

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Lea de Lonval
Frances Tomelty	...	Rose
Tom Burke	...	Vicomte Desmond
Rupert Friend	...	Cheri
Hubert Tellegen	...	Ernest
Joe Sheridan	...	Marcel
Kathy Bates	...	Madame Peloux
Toby Kebbell	...	Patron
Felicity Jones	...	Edmee
Iben Hjejle	...	Marie Laure
Alain Churin	...	Priest
Bette Bourne	...	Baronne
Nichola McAuliffe	...	Madame Aldonza
Andras Hamori	...	Otto
Gaye Brown	...	Lili

Also Known As:

Chéri - Eine Komödie der Eitelkeiten (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexual content and brief drug use.

Runtime:

USA:86 min | Germany:100 min (Berlin International Film Festival) | USA:92 min

Country:

UK | France | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45123) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | France:U | Finland:K-11 | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

Company:

Bill Kenwright Films

Trivia:

Iben Hjejle was personally called up by directer Stephen Frears and didn't know she was going to star opposite big Hollywood names before she began filming her first scene.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the closing credits, 'thanks' are given to France's national railway, the Societe National Chemin de Fer, known as the "SNCF". However the credits have the letters out of sequence, calling it the "SCNF".

Quotes:

Lea de Lonval: I'm probably making a fool of myself... but then again, why not? Life is short!

Movie Connections:

Version of Chéri (1950)

Ravishing to look at, touching and romantic

How wonderful to escape recessionary 2009 for a more glamorous world - Paris of the Belle Epoque. Every scene is a feast for the eye - including some marvellous Art Nouveau interiors - and the sun always seems to be shining on dewy gardens or a blue-green sea.

And in these luscious settings unfolds a tale of love with a capital L. It is the tale of a strong, wise heroine and a poetic, spoilt young man - a couple who never thought they would find love, both of whom recognise in their different ways that it has found them.

The acting is superb. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the heroine splendidly, and Rupert Friend has the beauty of a figure from a Burne-Jones painting. Christopher Hampton's screenplay is witty and seductive. The film score sets the tale off perfectly.