A sombre, manipulative affair in which the décor is never allowed to usurp our interest.
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Runtime: 2 hrs
Synopsis: DANGEROUS LIASONS is Stephen Frears' terse adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' famous epistolary tale about the sexual machinations of two jaded eighteenth century French aristocrats. In order to get revenge on a man who jilted her, the wicked Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) persuades a... DANGEROUS LIASONS is Stephen Frears' terse adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' famous epistolary tale about the sexual machinations of two jaded eighteenth century French aristocrats. In order to get revenge on a man who jilted her, the wicked Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) persuades a former lover, the rakish Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich), to deflower the man's virginal young fiancee (Uma Thurman). Valmont agrees, but presents the Marquise with his own challenge: if he succeeds in seducing a virtuous young wife known for her unshakable fidelity, Madame de Tourvel (Michele Pfieffer), the Marquise must grant Valmont a night in bed. The cold-blooded twosome proceed gleefully with their heartless scheme against the stunning backdrop of aristocratic France, displaying high stakes sexual gamesmanship and deceitful cunning. When the Valmont succeeds in seducing the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, the pair unexpectantly realize they have fallen in love, tragically defying the rules of the inhuman game, much to the horror of the cruel Marquise de Merteuil. Beautifully filmed with lavish period costumes, DANGEROUS LIASONS features critically acclaimed performances by its all-star cast. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman
DVD Info
Release:
Apr 10, 1999
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Widescreen Anamorphic - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Surround - French
Interactive Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Production Notes
Reviews
This incisive study of sex as an arena for manipulative power games takes too long to catch fire and suffers from a deficient central performance.
Emotional cruelty through sexual manipulation is the rule of the game of this smooth transfer of Christopher Hampton's witty play, with an all-American cast, headed by Glenn Close and best of all Michelle Pfeiffer.
Close, Malkovich e Pfeiffer aproveitam ao máximo seus fascinantes personagens e os diálogos afiados do roteiro de Hampton, mas o filme é um pouco mais frio do que deveria.
Its vernacular style allows the film to connect easily with present-day morals, sexual politics, and thirst for power.
Stephen Frears' direction is superb -- the design and lighting evoke simultaneous worlds of privilege and squalor, and while the nature of day-to-day life in 18th century France becomes readily apparent, it never becomes distracting.
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