An aging woman Léa de Lonval (Michelle Pfeiffer)and a young man Cheri (Rupert Friend) begin an affair, that will ultimately bring both pain and suffering. The film is set in 1920s Paris and the affair is orchestrated by Cheri’s scheming mother, Madame Peloux (Kathy Bates) who wants to initiate the ways of love for her son.

The film begins with a brief explanation of the ways of well-known courtesans. Léa may be a washed up courtesan, whose star is shining less brightly, but she falls for the impetuous brat son of one of her rivals. It is an interesting combination of a woman who has earned her way in life, by way of a glorified form of prostitution and a young man who has very little bona fied personality. Rupert Friend does a good job, think of the way Bosy was played by Jude Law, in the film of Oscar Wilde. Things get messy, when Cheri’s mother decides she has had enough of her son’s relationship with Léa and decides to marry off her petulant son to the daughter of another courtesan. This brings about heartbreak for all concerned. Léa, the older woman, casts a deep shadow over the married couple and a painful separation between the two former lovers, now exists.

Rupert Friend, has a big career ahead of him, but this film despite having some powerful actors involved (Kathy Bates for example) lacked an edge. There were some witty Oscar Wilde like reposts, spats between son and mother, put downs between rival courtesans. I felt at times some of the acting was hammy and the story might be best served on a stage, rather than as a full length feature film. It was often pleasant at times, but I suspect the book by French author Collette, had more puissance.

Francis H. Powell is originally from England and moved to Paris in 1999. In addition to being a writer (articles, songs and poems), he is a painter, DJ and English trainer. For more information, read his complete bio.

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