Dangerous Liaisons
Lust. Seduction. Revenge. See the game played as you've never seen it before.
The game of conquest is underway. Anything goes when a predatory, wealthy widow (Glenn Close) challenges a notorious rake (John Malkovich) to seduce a beautiful young newlywed (Michelle Pfeifer). But this time, a cardinal rule will be broken: two players will fall in love-with tragic results.
Member Reviews
A Very Safe Bet - Squish
'Dangerous Liaisons' is one of the most perfectly written scripts I've heard in my life, particularly as it relates to the relationship between Valmont and de Merteuil.
Their true relationship is one that must always remain a secret. In this still sexually-strict age of 18th century France, these two bored aristocrats have the stern judgement of their peers to consider whenever they engage in the task of defiling others. This means that the option of gloating proud upon their successes in seduction has truly no other audience apart from themselves. Accepting this fact, the two competitively consort, raising each other's bar of debauchery. When de Merteuil first suggests Valmont seduce the young and naive Cécile de Volanges, he instantly refuses declaring how beneath him that simple task would be. Nay, he raises his standard to a much more difficult task in order to win a truly glorious prize. And, since she needs his debauchery to be as base as hers lest she be alone, de Merteuil's promises her own sex to tempt him into considering her task. Ironically, these two are exquisitely bred and exceptionally skilled manipulators. Valmont and the Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil constantly keep the rigid decorum of the aristocracy even when speaking honestly with one another, yet never getting away from seeming like slathering jackals underneath it all. Their victories only come from sexually debasing others, and it quite obviously makes for a lonely existence, and both of them maintain their games because they only have each other. The script is one of the best examples of how to properly provide exposition to the audience as there's ever been.A Masterpiece - Moosette
This is one of my favourite movies of all times. Choderos de lachlos was an officer in the army in the days of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and you can maybe wonder if his sense of strategy derives from this. Also he was very fond of the ideas of Rosseau and wss very critical of the aristocracy. The novel behind this movie is of course reveiling much more criticism of the manners and abundence of the rich aristocracy, that is maybe hard to depict in the movie even though you can see it a bit when Valmont saves Armand. However this movie is magnificently played especially by Glenn Close. It poses questions to not just the rich bourgeois in this epoque of french history, but also to the role and (few) options a woman had nonewhatsoever her status of money.
If you are looking for an actionmovie, this is not it, this is more a drama that reveils human desires and what "breaking the rules" in a society/social group may have of consequences.
It is highly recommended!!The Idle Rich. - cathyottawa
John Malkovich & Glenn Close battle it out in a war of wit and wills.
In a time of the idle rich, they've found they are kindred spirits who both enjoy exploiting others for their own pleasure, and they devise challenging conquests to pass the time. Everyone, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves and Uma Thurman, is just a pawn in their chess game.
The problem is, sometimes pesky emotions, like love, get in the way.
Close and Pfeiffer were both nominated for Oscars for their work here, and deservedly so. Glenn Close is the perfect villian, interrested only in amusing herself. Phieffer is the perfect victim, full of morals and virtue, but susceptible to the passion awoken in her.
I think it's a shame John Malkovich wasn't recognized as well. The way he portrays restrained emotion - so good.
This movie is wicked fun, with a powerful, impassioned ending. It's one of my all time favourites.
Member Reviews
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A Very Safe Bet - Squish
'Dangerous Liaisons' is one of the most perfectly written scripts I've heard in my life, particularly as it relates to the relationship between Valmont and de Merteuil.
Their true relationship is one that must always remain a secret. In this still sexually-strict ...A Masterpiece - Moosette
This is one of my favourite movies of all times. Choderos de lachlos was an officer in the army in the days of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and you can maybe wonder if his sense of strategy derives from this. Also he was very fond of the ideas of Rosseau ...The Idle Rich. - cathyottawa
John Malkovich & Glenn Close battle it out in a war of wit and wills.
In a time of the idle rich, they've found they are kindred spirits who both enjoy exploiting others for their own pleasure, and they devise challenging conquests to pass the time. ...