Southern Belle 1:

3.5 stars. Although I agree with those who claim that Kathy Bates was perhaps miscast as Cheri's (Rupert Friend's) manipulative mother (she seems to have gotten type cast in these all-decked-out, middle-aged, loud-mouthed, interloper characters who can be so annoying), I very much enjoyed Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as an aging courtesan in 19th century France, and Friend's performance as Cheri, the spoiled and idle 19-year-old lover (and Bates' character's son). In the footsteps of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, which also starred Michelle Pfeiffer but was a much better film, CHERI, a romantic drama with just a smidgen of comic relief from time to time, offers sublime period costumes (I've never seen better) and beautiful locations in Biarritz, Paris and Cologne, and in studios in London and Cologne to provide the rich backdrop for this story of star-crossed lovers, one who suffers from advancing age (Pfeiffer) and the other from the necessity to marry into money (Friend). At times, the acting seems a bit stiff, but the interior and exterior cinematography is simply brilliant, and the soundtrack is perfect as well. Had there been more depth of emotion, this could easily have earned 4 or 5 stars. 10-26-09

lastliberal:

Let's see; Michelle Pfeiffer is 51, and Rupert Friend is 28. A typical cougar relationship, except there were no cougars in the late 19th Century France, during the Belle Epoque. This is a period of excess and Lea de Lonval (Pfeiffer) is living on her earnings, and she is teaching Cheri (Friend). the son of a friend (Kathy Bates), a fellow retired prostitute, about life. After six years of companionship, she has grown attached to Cheri, and is dismayed to learn his mother wants him married to the daughter (Felicity Jones) of another prostitute (Iben Hjejle). It is definitely a period piece with lavish costumes and sumptuous living, and emotions the rule of the day. What should have been a French film is decidedly English, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Remote Control:

The last 120 seconds of this film are among the worst I have ever seen. I can't tell you why because it would be a spoiler alert, but by the time you get that far into the movie, you probably wouldn't care if I had ruined it for you anyway.