I know that this is not the first time in the past few years that we’ve seen a period film but the reunion of Michelle Pfeiffer and Stephen Frears is definitely making it feel like it’s been decades since I’ve seen a good period drama.
Based on one of Colette’s novels (sadly one I have yet to read though I’m almost positive I have a copy on my shelf) Chéri stars Pfeiffer as Lonval, an older woman who takes a courtesans son under her wing and teaches him “the ways of love”.
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. It’s a period drama set in 1920’s Paris and that alone would be enough to get me interested but mix in Frears, Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend (who admittedly looks a little bland in the trailer) and the fabulous Kathy Bates and I’m already practicing sitting correctly while mentally searching through my closet for appropriate screening attire. If that’s not enough, the addition of gorgeous visuals, glamorous locales and to die for costumes and I’m about ready to burst with excitement.
Chéri premiered at Berlin earlier this year and is scheduled for a limited North American release on June 19th. Thanks to the fabulous folks at Film Experience Blog for the heads up on the trailer.
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
Michelle Pfeiffer. *Sigh.* She is still my ideal. And too long gone from the big screen!
She was in Hairspray not too long ago, and even that was too long ago. Very few people look that awesome at that age. She’s like 51, 52 now?
She’s 51. I had no idea.
I thought Pfeiffer was pretty fun in Stardust. I tend to like the actress when she is way over the top (Married to the Mob, Catwoman).
I’m actually quite itching to revisit TEQULIA SUNRISE, because I actually have a thing for glitzy 80′s neo-noir.
Ahhhh, that looks like fun. I adore everyone involved in this film. Fingers crossed.
Gotta love Michelle Pfeiffer. Awesome in Stardust – I felt that was a fun and fearless performance. She was also great in White Oleander. In fact – I’ve liked her in anything I’ve seen even Grease 2. Maybe especially Grease 2
How many times in that trailer is there a random laugh from a character thrown in? I didn’t like Dangerous Liaisons at all. Liked the 90′s “reboot” though.
Andrew, you mean Cruel Intentions? One of my favorite guilty pleasure movies.
I dunno what it is with me and costume dramas lately – I used to love them, but I just can’t get into them any more. I do love the Pfeiffer, though, and can’t believe how amazing she still looks. And this being the 1920s (really? maybe the Paris setting is throwing off my sense of early 20th century decor) might make it recently-set enough to pique my interest.
Yeah I love Cruel Intentions. Pleasure? Guilty as charged.
Whoa, Jandy you are right that would have to be some interesting reinterpration of times as that pic ain’t the 20′s. I swear, if I hadn’t have taken fashion history I never would have been able to place anything pre-1950′s.
I didn’t like Dangerous Liasons but loooooooooooved Valmont.
I’ve never taken fashion history – judging just by the costumes and decor, I would guess 1890s, though. Just looks fin-di-siecle rather than flapper/jazz age to me, but I’m more familiar with styles in jazz age New York or London than Paris. What do you say, Shannon? Since you have the fashion history background?
I’m surprised at the lack of love for Dangerous Liasons. I’ll have to revisit it at some point and give it another viewing – it’s been a while.
And great call on Valmont. Oh Colin…
There may well be a problem with the IMDb listing. The book was published in 1920 but not sure when the story was set (haven’t read it). Frears could well have changed the time period.
It does seem end of century but it feels a whole lot like the costumes in “Road to Avonlea” (only classier) and that was early 1900s. I guess if it’s closer to the beginning of the ’20s, it could be accurate.
Ok. A little research later – it could be the 20′s, particularly Pfeffer’s costumes which are sort of reminiscent of these sketches:
http://www.bluestocking-antiques.co.uk/New/Jean-Patou.jpg
http://images.marketworks.com/hi/61/61370/mix4_036.jpg
Yeah, I think you may be right, Marina. Pfeiffer’s costumes were on the line for me – a bit too streamlined for 1890s, but a bit floofy for 1920s. The Patou sketch does seem to match, though. Kathy Bates’ costumes definitely look older than 1920s, but since her character is of the previous generation, presumably, that makes sense as well – and at about 0:48, she’s wearing a hat that looks very flapperish.
Plus, we’re dealing with upper-crust-type people here, rather than the writer/artist set that are often the focus of 1920s-set films. That probably affects the styles as well. For now, I rescind my concerns.
Rereading Marina’s comment about the novel’s publishing date – it was published in 1920, so it almost has to be set in the ‘teens rather than the ’20s. Even if it’s set IN 1920, it wouldn’t be surprising for the fashion to be more influenced by the fashion just prior to jazz age, with maybe a bit of jazz age fashion creeping in, as in some of Pfeiffer’s costumes/Bates’ hat in that one scene. So the costumes are confusing us because they’re transitional.
The teens would make more sense – to be honest the strongest confusion is that the two dresses appear from different times – even the fact that one does and the other doesn’t nip at the waist. Even though the two women have very different statures, it would be highly irregular to have women wearing different styles until way later time period.
Pheiffer’s dress I could be convinced is Edwardian / Belle Époque (1901-1910) as it’s has a reminiscent S curve and more dowdy but Kathy Bates is definitely late Victorian. Even the colours support that.