Many years ago old man of British film criticism Barry Norman conducted a squirm in the seat interview with Michelle Pfeiffer, asking her, "What's it like to be so beautiful?"

But, old saddlebag face had a point; Pfeiffer has that old Hollywood glamour and beauty, and with the character Lea gives her best performance since The Age of Innocence. 

Condensing famed French writer Collette's two Cheri novels into a single 92 minute movie, the entire second novel is squeezed into a Barry Lyndon style voiceover during the film's closing moments, delivered by Frears himself. 

Honest courtesan Lea breaks the cardinal rule of her profession when falling in love with her latest fling.  That he is the half-her-age Cheri (Orlando Bloomalike Friend) makes the already unusual arrangement positively social poison, but that does not prevent their summer silliness developing into a six year romance.

But, their love is halted suddenly when Cheri's mother and one-time high class hooker Mme Peloux (a roly poly Bates) arranges a marriage between the brooding youth and an acquaintance's daughter (Jones).

Frears and Hampton are most successful in creating the retired courtesans' world of isolated luxury, where gossip is the hot currency and their astronomical monthly outgoings badges of honour.

Pfeiffer's composed yet emotional performance drips with old school class, and coaxes a fine turn from Friend, who manages to elicit sympathy despite his Cheri being little more than a well-heeled professional cad.

Rob Daniel