Cheri

I adore period pieces. The grand mansions and the fine costumes are usually enough to make the film worthwhile. Michelle Pfeiffer is so exquisite. Her pale coloring and auburn hair were so beautiful with the soft green and colored costumes.

Michelle plays the part of Lea. She made all her money as a mistress to the grand men of European aristocracy.

One day she was lunching with a fellow courtesan, Charlotte. Charlotte is played by one of my favorite actors, Kathy Bates. She is magnificent in her part. She is certainly the comedy relief as she plays her part of a buffoon type madam.

Lea is introduced to Fred, a 19ish son of Charlotte. Both Lea and Fred are instantly smitten in spite of a considerable age difference. They toy with each other but basically have a deep affection for one another. They actually live together in harmony for six years.

Charlotte wants Fred to marry and arranges for him to meet the beautiful young daughter of a friend. Fred is torn between his love for Lea and the need to move forward in life in a good economic situation.

Fred tries to make the marriage work but he constantly thinks about Lea. Lea pretends to be getting along but constantly thinks back to her love of Fred.

They do meet again and you will have to see the film to find out how it ends. (Not as I expected

At times a narrator tells the story while we look on to the action. Director Stephen Frears has made other period films. I was intrigued by the problems faced with a younger man and an older woman. There was also conflict with Fred as he tried to fit in with a conventional life with his bride. There were a lot of emotions expressed throughout the film. I thought it was more than a piece of ‘fluff’.