Dangerous Liaisons on DVD (1988)

A wonderful and passionate costume drama

Philip Concannon from London , 17/10/2004

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.

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Fabulous film

secretsquirrel from London , 18/10/2004

It's a fabulous film. John Malkovich steals the show as the dastardly but ultimately vulnerable Valmont, but he is supported by a strong cast, especially Glenn Close as the equally scheming madam de Merteuil.

The costumes and settings are suitably elaborate, and the film cleverly manages to build up suspense and drama, with moments of black humour. Hugely entertaining.

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jeaniek#1 from LONDON , 12/09/2003

Just a superb film. Intrigue, sex and violence play in the gorgeous setting of aristocratic France. John Malkovich and Glenn Close give breathtaking performances as the selfish, vicious enemies who ruin those around them for fun but ultimately destroy themselves. The fact that we feel sympathy for these loathsome characters is due to the very fine acting, Christopher Hampton's subtle script and Stephen Frears' unfussy and sensitive direction. It's a film to watch again and again and see more in each time. Good to see Keanu and Uma in a couple of their earliest roles too!

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Brilliant

AfricanViolet from Surrey , 10/08/2004

This has to be one of my favourite movies of all time. Based on a superb play from an even more interesting novel, the story line twists and weaves through deceit and intrigue. The ending is slightly more hollywood than the original book, but not soppy. beautiful costumes, excellent acting and not reliant on soft porn despite the nature of the intrigue. I strongly recommend this movie!

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One day when they were young

whying from London , 22/03/2004

It's an erotic feast rather than a morality drama. Michelle Pfeiffer is too lean and vague a character for one to feel sympathy for her falling into prey of the amoral hedonists. The final conversion and suicide of John Malkovich the playboy is no more convincing. Glenn Close the scheming marquise could pass for an excellent feminist.

It's still pleasurable, however, to see the big stars in their youth. Malkovich is not Being John Malkovich, but much more handsome, normal and less neurotic. Keanu Reeves has not been computerised into a superman Neo in the Matrix; currently he is the innocent "colourless chap" of a musician teacher who inadvertently sends the wanton Malkovich to his virgin lover Uma Thurman's bed. Neither has Thurman spent her full talents, say, like in Pulp Fiction, though the dissolute way she bares her breast is enough sign of her later characters of debauchery. Michelle Pfeiffer, sorry to say, looks as if she's long been in a desert and evaporated much.

The most laudable is doubtless Glenn Close, who is her usual strongwoman kind, in her usual negative way, not only corrupting young ladies and playing with men, but also remarkably changing many faces between scenes. Most impressive is her softly and slowly spreading smiles and saying yes, after Malkovich’s rake forces her to either go to bed or war, before changing face abruptly and squeezing out the word between her firm lips: “War.” What an eternal feminist declaration.

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Masterpiece

Cathy123 from Uckfield , 08/06/2005

One of my all time favourite films. Normally I do go for big budget/big names/history/period pieces and this film didnt fail to deliver. I liked the fact that there was a moral to the story. I loved the costumes and enjoy the cat/mouse games that took place. It was fun to see Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves so early in their careers.

Would recommend this film to anyone.

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