Although a well acted and lavish visual feast, Cheri does not make for a wholly satisfying romantic romp.

This is a shame, since expectations were justifiably high considering that Cheri is a reunion of Dangerous Liaisons trio Michelle Pfeiffer, screenwriter Christopher Hampton, and director Stephen Frears.

Based on the books written by legendary French novelist Colette, Cheri stars Pfeiffer as retired courtesan (high class escort) Lea. Rupert Friend plays the title role, the 19 year old son of a former rival courtesan (Kathy Bates) who asks Lea to take on Cheri and guide him in the ways of love and life.

After six years together, Cheri is forced to marry the young and wealthy Edmee (Felicity Jones), ending their arrangement. Yet when Lea unexpectedly finds herself longing for Cheri, and vice versa, both attempt to rekindle the life they once shared.      

Cheri is a gorgeous film to look upon, Darius Khondjis’ photography sparkling with a bubbling energy, giving vibrancy to its superbly staged 19th Century French upper class setting, and superbly capturing its luscious European locations.

With her robust, sensual and provocative performance, Pfeiffer proves that age should never be used to deny women over 40 plump lead roles, while defying the proclamation that beauty is only for the young. Rupert Friend also strut’s what he’s got, stealing glances with his cocky swagger and smouldering looks.

Another highlight is Hampton’s screenplay, which is filled with a healthy dose of zesty dialogue for its actors to wrap their lips around, the exchanges between Pfeiffer and Bates in particular a standout.

Yet at 93 min Cheri does not invest enough time in its love story, which fails to materialise while getting lost in Frears shuffle of tone between melodrama, high spirited comedy, and sex romp.    

By the time Frears does sets the rhythm of his film to a steady meter, it ends with an unsatisfying executed conclusion that features the use of sparsely used narration, the type that annoyingly confuses plot development with a handful of short concise sentences.

Pretty, yet uneven, Cheri could have been much more had the details in its story matched that in its production design.