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It's a sad commentary on our culture that even a cinephile with a deep respect for Frears's oeuvre would be having such thoughts. Certainly there is a conversation worth having about aging and women in our society, but the problem is that Frears doesn't do anything but raise the question. 

The movie attempts weight by confronting Léa with her self-imposed fate: "You have everything you could possibly want, but none of it means a thing." It's an accurate assessment of the hollowness of both Léa's life and of Chéri itself. Stellar cast, topnotch director, impressive design—all the components for a rich satisfying movie, but without a compelling story it's a forgettable trifle.

Talk About It

1. What do you think about plastic surgery? How does it reflect or not reflect God's plan for creation?
2. How would you counsel a woman in Léa's situation? How might you lead her to understand her true value in God's eyes, age or not?
3. How would this story have differed if Léa were an older man and Chéri a younger woman?
4. What advice does Paul give to Timothy regarding older women (1 Tim. 5:1-10)? Why are gossip and alcohol so tempting and dangerous for women?

The Family Corner

Chéri is rated R for some sexual content and brief drug use. There is a lot of lovemaking in this film, though very little nudity. The only instance of marital sex is portrayed as being unpleasant for both parties. The main characters are unrepentant prostitutes, and the film glamorizes them. Some characters smoke opium.

Photos © Miramax

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