Retired and wealthy courtesan to princes, Michelle Pfieffer, is asked by her friend Kathy Bates to teach her son, Rupert Friend the nuances of love in preparation for his future. The short term arrangement lasts for 6 years as they fall hopelessly in love with each other.
Rather beautiful, touching and insightful love story held together by a good performance by Friend and exemplary one by Pfeiffer. She manages to convey cunning, happiness and dreadful heartache so brilliantly, without uttering a word, such that the film seems to miss something when she's not on screen. Bates is fine in one of her exuberant jolly roles; her wars of words with Pfeiffer are great fun.
My one criticism is the commentary by Frears himself which is bland and out of place and seems like he's reading the news - it needed a Dench or a Redgrave.
Rather beautiful, touching and insightful love story held together by a good performance by Friend and exemplary one by Pfeiffer. She manages to convey cunning, happiness and dreadful heartache so brilliantly, without uttering a word, such that the film seems to miss something when she's not on screen. Bates is fine in one of her exuberant jolly roles; her wars of words with Pfeiffer are great fun.
My one criticism is the commentary by Frears himself which is bland and out of place and seems like he's reading the news - it needed a Dench or a Redgrave.