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Dangerous Liaisons
1988
Based on the infamous novel LES LIASONS DANGEREUSES by Choderlos de Laclos and the subsequent Christopher Hampton play, set in pre-revolutionary France, a cunning Marquise (Glenn Close) and a seductive Vicomte (John Malkovich) mastermind a cruel and complicated game of romantic manipulation. Set against the backdrop of high--.. Read more
| Starring | Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves |
|---|---|
| Director | Stephen Frears |
| Genres | Drama |
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Dangerous Liaisons
Based on the infamous novel LES LIASONS DANGEREUSES by Choderlos de Laclos and the subsequent Christopher Hampton play, set in pre-revolutionary France, a cunning Marquise (Glenn Close) and a seductive Vicomte (John Malkovich) mastermind a cruel and complicated game of romantic manipulation. Set against the backdrop of high--society baroque boudoirs, filled with deceitful lovers and cunning sexual gamesmanship the Marquise and the Vicomte agree to a competition involving a virginal young bride (Uma Thurman) and a faithful wife (Michele Pfieffer). When the Vicomte successfully seduces the virtous and faithful wife they unexpectantly fall in love, breaking the rules of the inhuman Marquise's clever parlor game with vengeful results.
| Starring | Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman |
|---|---|
| Director | Stephen Frears |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | DVD: Arabic, Czech, English, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Polish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 07 Oct 2002 Production year: 1988 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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This classically mounted, richly textured production of the scandalous 18th-century “sex as power play” novel is a handsome homage to the idea that women lose out in a man's world even where they at first appear to be in control. The extraordinary performances of Glenn Close, as the vindictive Marquise de Merteuil, and Michelle Pfeiffer, as the pure wife despoiled by the slimy Valmont (John Malkovich) on a wager, help make director Stephen Frears's chilling depiction of an era's corruption heart-wincingly believable. Malkovich, though, seems ill-cast, with all the sleaze but none of the necessary seduction in his portrayal. Despite that, this is a treat for eye and mind.
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"...Witty, entertaining, if occasionally overripe, decadence....[Nothing Close] has done on the screen before approaches the richness and comic delicacy of her work as the Marquise..."
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Most helpful member's review
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12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
A wonderful and passionate costume drama
Stephen Frears brings De Laclos' novel to life with this stylish and spiteful adaptation. Glenn Close and John Malkovich excel in their best roles to date as the conniving Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont respectively. In order to get her revenge on a man who jilted her, Merteuil persuades Valmont to seduce the man's virginal fiancee.
Valmont agrees but also makes his own challenge to Merteuil; If he can seduce the notoriously faithful Madame de Tourvel(Michele Pfieffer), then Merteuil will grant him a night in her bed. The pair continue with their scheming but Valmont soon finds his genuine feelings for Tourvel getting in the way.
This is a top-notch period drama, dripping with venom and taking delight in the amorality of it's characters. Sumptiously shot and with beautiful production design and costumes, the film looks a treat. But Frears never lets the period trappings stifle the actors and the cast respond with great performances.
Malkovich and Close really revel in their roles as the chief manipulators with Close making a particularly strong impression. Pfeiffer and Thurman are also convincing as Valmont's conquests but a brief role for Keanu Reeves simply doesn't work(who's bright idea was it to put Reeves in a costume drama?)
Despite a couple of flaws, and wavering accents, this is a costume drama as it should be made. Often in period films the characters seem to be like robots, buttoned up and emotionless. 'Dangerous Liaisons' understands that the people who lived in 18th century France had the same desires as those living in any other period, lust, revenge, power. Frears' film is a fascinating depiction of sexual manipulation; pulsing with passion and dripping with venom. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Vying for my "favourite film of all time"!
A masterpiece in film is a rare thing to come by when you consider all of the many facets that such a film must encompass. However, in my opinion Dangerous Liaisons is one of those rare masterpieces! The script is superb - with many quotable quotes - and a wonderfully sharp adaptation of a slow moving epistolary novel. The costumes are sensational, the music (many variations on Bach harpsichord pieces) is employed to excellent effect and the sets are very well chosen/designed! Above all, however, the acting cannot be sufficiently lauded. Glenn Close and John Malkovich are so well cast that it is hard to imagine any other actors playing these parts. Michelle Pfeiffer and Swoosie Kurtz are surprisingly adept in period roles and Keanu Reeves and Uma Thurman both make early-in-their-careers appearances.
If you are looking for an evening of brilliant characters, drama, deceit, intrigue and betrayl, this is your film! Happy viewing! -
News and features
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Cheri: Michelle Pfeiffer Interview
- 08 May 2009
After putting her career on stand-by for four years to spend some well-deserved quality time with her family, Michelle Pfeiffer is back - bigger bolder and more beautiful than ever as she reunites with Stephen Frears for another period drama playing Lea de Lenval, a self-sufficient older woman of the 1920s, who embarks on an affair with the young and handsome Cheri (Rupert Friend). We spoke to Michelle about being a working mother, working with Mr Frears after a 20 year gap and find out her... Read more
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Based on the infamous novel LES LIASONS DANGEREUSES by Choderlos de Laclos and the subsequent Christopher Hampton play, set in pre-revolutionary France, a cunning Marquise (Glenn Close) and a ... -