CHERI

RYAN: I was so looking forward to seeing “Chéri,” and girl, was it worth it! The Oscar buzz surrounding Michelle Pfeiffer in this film is totally warranted.

CAROLINE: I’m dying to see it myself, but haven’t been able to yet. Tell me all! But don’t ruin it.

RYAN: Well, for starters, it’s de-gorgeous. The costumes and set design are sweeping and breathtaking. The script is so phenomenal, I can only imagine what it must have been like to be Michelle Pfeiffer reading it and salivating over what a great opportunity this role was.

CAROLINE: Doesn’t she play a ‘ho?

RYAN: Honey, they called it a courtesan back then. I guess it was in fashion to be a high-class prostitute. Her co-star, Kathy Bates, plays a retired courtesan, and her performance is Oscar worthy too.

CAROLINE: What about Rupert Friend? He’s the titular Chéri, is he not?

RYAN: I went back and forth throughout the entire film trying to decide whether he’s hot. Ultimately, I’m undecided. Maybe he’s neither hot nor ugly; he’s just there. He’s a fine actor, but I would have loved the role even more with someone hotter like Ben Barnes. Still, the women were so strong in this movie that all the the dudes were inconsequential.

CAROLINE: So is it a good love story?

RYAN: It’s a brilliant and even heartbreaking love story. But I don’t want to give away too much.

CAROLINE: Fair enough. How’s the length? You never know with these period films.

RYAN: Well, it was never a problem for me; I was fully engaged throughout. Howe’er, my friend Eric snoozed for a good 15 minutes of it at least. I’m hoping he was just really tired, and not bored.

CAROLINE: LBH, I might have dozed too. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately, even in movies I like.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: It’s an often salacious drama that’s both romantic and sweet but never sentimental. It’s also kind of twisted; but overall the story is great. And it’s beautiful enough to justify seeing it in the theater. Shout-out to our faithful fan, Michael – I think you’ll dig this one!

CAROLINE: Are there any sex scenes?

RYAN: For shizz.

— RATING —