Cheri DVD Review

Told loosely in the vein of Cruel Intentions, Cheri is an October 20th DVD release from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Miramax.  It is a seductive and provocative drama about a scandalous love affair told during pre-World War I times in Paris.

Lea (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a famed courtesan to the rich and famous and is contemplating retirement from her tiring profession.  Kathy Bates (Best Actress Oscar in Misery, 1990) plays an archrival to Lea and asks her to train her spoiled 19-year-old son Cheri on the ways of women.

The match turns out to be more than either Lea or Cheri bargains for.  After six years together, Cheri is betrothed to a new woman, which sends Lea into a tailspin and leaves Cheri wondering if Lea was more than his sexual trainer.  Cheri is a story about sex, money, age and high society.

Cheri boils down to a story of forbidden love. Michelle Pfeiffer plays a character whose life eerily parallels her own. A highly accomplished and important woman nearing the end of her prime. Her young love cannot get past his feelings for her and she doesn’t want to let go her youthful mate. However, society and practicality might get in the way.

While not overly impressive on the eyeball test, Cheri is if nothing else, intriguing. It is not an original movie idea, but a solidly presented one. Rupert Friend holds his own as the male lead. There is plenty of sexuality, so this story isn’t for younger eyes.

MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 93 minutes
Release Date: October 20th, 2009

Grade: A

Director: Kate Churchill
Starring: Nick Rosen, B.K.S. Iyengar, Norman Allen, David Life, Dharma Mittra, Alan Finger

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews