As you know, despite a mixed critical reception over here in the UK, I was quite taken with Stephen Frears’ “Chéri,” a tarter-than-expected Belle Epoque romance that showcases the director’s best work in nine years, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s best work in … well, longer than that.
I’m not sure how the film, a rather subtle specialty item, will play on its American release in a month’s time, but Miramax clearly has hopes for it, and have launched this rather attractive official website to make their case. (They appear to have dispensed with the accent aigu, perhaps to prevent anyone mistaking it for a foreign-language effort.)
The site features the standard promotional bumf, but does a good job of showing off the film’s lavish technical credits, particularly Consolata Boyle’s costumes and Alexandre Desplat’s lovely score, which is actually more delicate than the selected excerpt here suggests. Both are, I think, very much in the Oscar mix, while Pfeiffer’s radiant performance may need to find more critical champions Stateside to sustain momentum.
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7 responses to “‘Chéri’ website launched”
Mais je ne comprends pas cheri sans l’accent aigu!!
And that’s about the only thing I find interesting about this film; Pfeiffer won’t be winning this year.
Screening with Stephen Frears Q&A this tuesday. Somehow the Q&A seems more interesting than the film. Any burning questions you folks want me to ask him ;) ?
But will Pfeiffer get the nom ? I hope s
I have one simple question, Jonathan:
“So, about ‘Mrs Henderson Presents’ … what the hell were you thinking?”
Heh, don’t be so hard on that film Guy. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea and probably not yours either, but it was okay.
Of the money, presumably…
Could you ask him why he (and Hampton) chose to open the film with the voiceover (and comic) description of infamous coutesans and the beginning of the relationship between Lea and Cheri, rather than start with “Give me my pearls” like the novel does?
I do think it works, creating a false sense of superficiality about the affair, but I was wondering what inspired them.
Also the name (and phone number) of the guy teaching Cheri to box early in the film would be nice…
That would be Toby Kebbell, BJT. Great in “Control” and impressed some (not me) in “RocknRolla.” He was one of BAFTA’s Rising Star nominees this year.
Not the info you wanted, I know.