Customer Reviews

Dangerous Liaisons [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

At first glance, DANGEROUS LIAISONS appears to be an extravagant eighteenth-century period-piece, which it is; the powdered wigs and overflowing corsets typical of the genre are all here, and the cinematography is appropriately glossy. But boiling beneath the elegant surface are the deviously twisted sensibilities of two monstrous characters--the Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich), a pair of schemers (and former lovers) who take pleasure in coolly manipulating and seducing those around them. The Marquise challenges the Vicomte to seduce the virtuous Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), but when the latter finds himself genuinely falling in love with his intended prey, the game quickly turns fatal--with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

A period-piece? Yes, but one honed with a distinctly contemporary menace. It's rare, for example, to find a period-piece with such delicious, razor-sharp dialogue (which garnered the film an Academy Award for Best Screenplay Adaptation). It's also rare to find a period-piece that focuses primarily on sex, but treats its subject matter with so little eroticism. DANGEROUS LIAISONS is more about power and one-upmanship; sex merely serves as the weapon of choice. It's a diabolically entertaining film, a decadent one even; there's something both disturbing and enjoyable about watching the two central characters indulging in their elaborate power plays.

The performances are strong for the most part (Close, Malkovich, and Pfeiffer all received Oscar nominations), although the women fare much better than the men. Glenn Close does a magnificent job as the evil Marquise, and supplies the film with some of its most explosive moments--the scene in which she quietly utters the word "War" without batting an eyelash is chilling beyond words. I didn't completely buy Malkovich as the charming lady-killer (a small but serious flaw that undermines the whole film), but he does a fine job with what he's given. Keanu Reeves, as usual, is utterly unfathomable, even in a relatively minor part. The best performance of all is delivered by Michelle Pfeiffer; as the tormented wife, she bares every inch of her moral anguish, and the results are heartbreaking to behold. Behind the cold-blooded duo of Close and Malkovich, it's Pfeiffer who provides the emotional heart of the film, and in every one of her pained expressions lies the evidence of the very human consequences at stake.

There's a certain degree of sinful pleasure hidden beneath the depravity of "Dangerous Liaisons," a film that is perversely elegant in its execution and daringly naughty in regard to its story. Based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the script by Christopher Hampton explores the cause and effect nature of love, betrayal, and sinful intentions in both humorous and serious lights. While the material could be easily morose and unaffecting, director Stephen Frears spices up his canvas with a beautiful cast and a well-constructed production design.

At the center of the story are two people who feed on the misery they cause others as a way to keep their urges for one another suppressed. Glenn Close is the seductively evil Marquise de Merteuil, a self-proclaimed "virtuoso of deceit" who believes it her duty to dominate the opposite sex, and avenge her own. Her latest undertaking involves the daughter of her naive friend Madame de Volanges (Swoozie Kurtz), for whom her former lover left her. In hopes of ruining daughter Cecile's (Uma Thurman) reputation, she calls upon beloved friend and partner in evil, Vicomte de Valmont, played by John Malkovich. Valmont, like Merteuil, prides himself on his accomplishments, and prizes the feeling of success that comes with the devastation he causes to women.

But he has different plans in mind, involving the seduction and ruin of one Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), whose ideals and virtues are the exact opposite of these two wicked souls. His plan is concocted from the most cruel of intentions: to make her want him so badly that she does not relinquish her beliefs, but instead is crushed by them once she gives in to his advances.

Imagine his surprise when he finds that his task will not be as easy as he had at first hoped. When he finds that Tourvel is far more resistant than first expected, he agrees to aid Merteuil in her quest for revenge against Cecile. As the two weave their intricate web of deception and betrayal, Valmont finds himself in a position he never imagined possible, and Merteuil finds herself in danger of losing her grip over him.

As you may have noticed, I've left out much of the important plot points concerning other characters; half the fun of this film is the unveiling of each evil plan, all of which fall into place in a manner that is ingeniously devilish and supremely potent. The manner in which these actions are carried out, and the overall effects they have, are unsettling, to be sure, yet there's a wondrous sense of awe about them, one that stems from the craftsmanship of such detailed revenges that are disturbing and mesmerizing at the same time.

For such a devious story to work, a talented cast is in order, and "Dangerous Liaisons" supplies us with precisely that. Glenn Close is outlandish as Merteuil, mastering with incredible wit and sensibility the calculating nature of her character. She wonderfully portrays the physical beauty used to mask the cold-hearted novice with terrific gusto; in Merteuil's "win or die" conversation with Valmont, Close sells us on the character, and also proves her worth as an actress.

Mirroring this delightfully evil performance is that of Malkovich, whose delectable wit and cool masterminding of deceit are supremely effective. For his character to work, there must be two key factors involved: we must believe enough in his ability to seduce and destroy, and we must be able to accept the change of heart that comes after meeting Tourvel. Malkovich is able to accomplish both with suave, debonair charm and true emotional feeling within his words.

High praise to the supporting cast as well, who all give well-rounded performances. Pfeiffer portrays Tourvel's resistance and innocence perfectly, as well as the heartache and hardships once she accepts her feelings for Valmont. The two pawns in Merteuil's wicked game, Cecile and her young love, Chevalier Danceny, are played by Thurman and Keanu Reeves with a much-needed naivety and innocent virtue that casts Merteuil and Valmont in an even more chilling light.

In my praise of the cast, I've neglected to mention the superb art direction and production design for "Dangerous Liaisons." Some of the best sets and costumes ever designed for a period motion picture reside here, conveying the elegance and aristocracy of pre-Revolution France in a very accurate manner; the bawdy, forceful score by George Fenton also receives high marks. Anyone looking for some fiendish fun with a believable premise need look no further than this film, a sheer delight of whimsy, devilish evil, and grotesque elegance.

The two movies, `Dangerous Liaisons' directed by Stephen Frears and `Valmont', directed by Milos Forman are a real anomoly in that they were released at almost exactly the same time and tell almost exactly the same story, based on an old novel, `Les Liaisons Dangeruese' by Choderlos de Laclos. It is a minor tragedy that `Valmont' received so much less attention and promotion than `Dangerous Laisons'. I suspect that had a lot to do with the fact that `Valmont' was released by the company Orion which may have been in its last throes of survival and simply did not have the means to promote the film.

The only bright side of this situation is that the `Dangerous Liaisons' implementation of this story is much better. It is a sign of the value of `...Liaisons' that it is much better than a really worthy movie.

I believe the difference in the quality of the two movies lies directly on the aptness of the casting and the quality of the acting. On all the lesser qualities which go into making a movie such as set decoration, cinematography, editing, music and the like, the two films are easily on equal terms.

The heart of the matter is in the comparison of `...Liaisons' casting of Glenn Close and John Malkovich in the principle roles versus `Valmont's casting Colin Firth and Annette Bening. While Firth is physically much more believable as a Casanova type, Close and Malkovich are far superior than Bening and Firth at playing world class scoundrels. At the secondary level, `...Liaisons' casting of Uma Thurmen and Keanu Reeves as the two young innocent lovers is immensely more satisfying than the `Valmont casting of unknowns Fairuza Balk and Henry Jones. My memory of their relative careers is a bit dim, but this movie is ample evidence of why Uma and Keanu are big stars today and Fairuza and Henry are footnotes to cinema history.

Of the fifth major role, we have `...Liaisons' casting Michelle Pfeiffer versus `Valmont's casting Meg Tilly. This may be the only role where the two movies are close. Tilly gives a great performance as a naïve young wife who ultimately gives into Valmont's seductions, but I think Pfeiffer is even better. Here, the difference may have been in the writing, as I suspect Pfeiffer's role is just a bit more strongly written, so Michele had more to work with.

If nothing else convinces you, compare the seduction scenes between Malkovich and Thurmen versus Firth and Balk and the mix of sweetness with darkness in the former versus the pure soft core porn of the latter will carry the day.

The casting in this film is remarkable. Placing John Malkovich as Valmont was ingenious. Despite the fact that he does not have convential good looks, one can easily see why he might be irresistable. By the end of the movie, the viewer is so intrigued by the character, that he becomes the sexiest man in the world. Michelle Pfifer also puts in a great performance - just the right blend of innocence, strength, and inevidably weakness. In addition, Glenn Close put in her best performance ever. If you have never seen it, by all means, go rent it. you will be amazed.

The subtleties of the interaction between Close and Malkevich's characters makes for some great psychological pathology. A window into the minds of two exceptional sexual chess-players, this film depicts a classic battle of the sexes but it's done with class and pathos. The weapons are the head-games and the finesse with which each character wields them.

A film to be studied rather than tossed aside as merely another movie about a failed love-affair, one would do well to appreciate the havoc wreaked on the minds of the two main characters by their own brilliance at mind-games. Five stars not only because it is such a fine film, but because it's a lot deeper than Amazon's reviewer claims. This film is not "mindless"; if anything, it may be a bit TOO mindful: One has to think to see what's just beneath the surface.

I won't rehash the whole plot, we all know the story. I'd give this version of Dangerous Liaisons more stars if could. I only have one thing to say. I'm tired of all those people who say that John Malkovich wasn't handsome enough to play Valmont. Justin Chang from California wrote that he "didn't completely buy Malkovich as the charming lady-killer" and that casting him in the role was a "a small but serious flaw that undermines the whole film". Bulls**t!

How could anyone watch Malkovich's stellar performance and think of nothing except looks. Hollywood is so full of "good-looking" actors and actresses who can't act their way out of a paper bag. In modern times we often value conventional beauty over all other aspects of a person's character. A lot of these Hollywood hunks wish they could act as well as Mr. Malkovich. Get over it, people, no one will ever play Valmont better!

The movie is great with Glenn Close magnificent. I was really surprised at the inferior quality of the DVD image. Lots and lots of white flecks appear on the screen (I'm certain there's a technical name for this) and distract from the movie itself. I wonder why such a poor quality transfer was permitted.

John Malkovich is too die for; playing a wonderful and human character. It could be argued as one of his best performance to date. The way he graced the film makes you feel like he has secretly entered your domain. He is definitely a gifted actor; with exaggerated characteristics. Glenn Close also gives a great performance in the film; as quite honestly, they carried the film throughout from beginning till end. I cannot believe this is film is unavailable for a newer audience; and generation to wonder; and be entertained.

One of the all time best movies I have seen as far as being able to draw the veiwer into it's world. The acting by John Malkovitch and Glenn Close and their constant duel is breathtaking and intense. The emotions of Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman are profound and stirring. And the skill these actors use, expressing their characters through eyes and voice and stunning facial expression, is some of the finest I have ever seen. The costume design is among the likes of Amadeus and Henry V (Branagh)...it enfolds the viewer in a profound sense of the time and culture the characters live in. It is a sweet feeling of another time and place and the great game that is played there is one of depth, intrigue, passion,and the taboo. Set in the heydey of Parisian Aristocracy, two nobles share an intense passion of loveplay and manipulation. They are the greatest of this game, and their personal desires to beat the other fuel a private battle like no other. Supporting their consuming pranks are an innocent wife of a religious leader, a young debutante fresh out of a convent preparing to marry, and a brash young music teacher intent on forcing his way out of the class system. The way each of these people's own internal passion struggles intertwines with the other is dizzying and so intense it's tragic. The surprises that seem to come from every corner in this film give it a life and depth that instantly creates legend. Top of the line film with great cinemetography, score, editing, and historical accuracy.

Set in 18th century France, although it could be in any time or place, a wealthy woman, a Marquis, is about to begin a game of seduction and deciet,that will ruin lives and reputations.She challenges her friend (and ex-lover) a Viscount, notorious for being a scoundral,to seduce a young,devoted bride. The Prize....why herself,of course.... for one night! He is thrilled by the challenge and the double opportunity, and sets his plan in motion. It is an elaborate scheme that is at times as much fun as it is cruel.

The Marquis also has her own little schemes going to ruin lives of other various denizens of the elite circle of aristocrats.Her plans though may turn to the destruction of her own reputation as well as tragic endings for others.Will she hold true to her word with the Viscount? Will he even still want her, or do his plans go awry and"Beyond my control" when he develops a heart?

"Dangerous Liaisons" is a beautiful piece of cinema that will leave you wanting more. The cast is absolutley mesmerizing. Glenn Close and John Mallkovich are the predators in this game of seduction. The prey...Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman, Keanu Reeves and Swoosie Kurtz. The legendary Mildred Natwick who has been gracing us with her presence in films for half a century or more,is exquiste.Director Stephen Frears treats us to great costumes, photography, acting, sound, emotions, and even a great duel.

The DVD(Warner Bros) is an excellent quality transfer. It is in widescreen(also a standard version on side B) that takes in all the granduer of the estate grounds, with a bright beautiful picture. Colors are glorious. The soundtrack is Remastered in the 5.1 Dolby Digital and is very good. There is not too much in the way of Special features, but there are some production notes, and subtitles in English, French or Spanish.

If you have seen this film before you will love this DVD. First time viewers are in for some fine performances and a great story.

Enjoy.......Laurie

also recommended is the magnificent french update:
Dangerous Liaisons