Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

cinemajesty Film Review: "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988)Director Stephen Frears handles an "Academy-Award-Winning" adaptive script by Christopher Hampton based on a novel of 1782 by author Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (1741-1803) to utmost of excellence, directing all-up-front actress Glenn Close as Marquise de Merteuil teaming up with actor John Malkovich, given face to scene-stealing Vicomte de Valmont, who together rule a French court of the 18th century "Renaissance"; winning affections of the innocent as they were fruits to be picked from a sacred tree, when supporting cast members surrounding Uma Thurman, Michelle Pfeiffer as unfortunate Madame de Tourvel and Keanu Reeves as all-too inexperienced knight in an climaxing egee-swinging duel, when Merteuil & Valmont keep the upper hand to win high society favours only to confront themselves nevertheless in the end after all that there can only be one to survive for a future at the court.The Warner Bros. distributed picture has nothing lost of his seductive beat-work throughout every scene as director Stephen Frears well-researched conditioning of his ensemble cast, when just getting blocked out at the Oscars in their 61st edition for a "Best Director" nomination over British comedy "A Fish Called Wanda" directing Charles Crichton (1910-1999) as the adaptive script and costume designs win nevertheless for eternalized recognition of a remaining motion picture classic.

dierregi This movie is a true classic. Personally, I do not think that Malkovich, Close and Pfeiffer ever topped these performances. The plot is well-known: an evil pair of aristocrats (Close, as Marquise de Merteuil and Malkovich, as Valmont) enjoy revenge against whomever did them wrong. Said revenge often involves destroying the spotless reputation of honest women. Moving in the very decadent world of French aristocracy just before the revolution was like walking in a mine field, therefore all their plotting is very sophisticated and deadly.Merteuil is the more evil character and also - as a woman - the more oppressed. A multifaceted personality, both pitiful and repellent. Valmont is a superficial and world-weary cynical who finally fells in love, only to destroy both the object of his affection and himself.Much was written about Malkovich not being handsome enough for the part, but for sure he plays seduction without any problem, despite his less than attractive features. Pfeiffer is the amazingly beautiful Madame de Tourvel. Her perfect face is so luminous that the love she inspires even in a despicable character as Valmont is perfectly believable. Not only beautiful but good-hearted she is clearly destined to end badly in such a corrupt environment. The side plot involves the seduction of a frisky virgin played by an equally beautiful Thurman and the demise of a naive music teacher, plays by Reeves.With perfect settings, incredibly beautiful costumes and top performance this sophisticated movie should have won multiple Oscars. The fact that it won only 3 in minor categories and Close did not get it as Best Actress is again proof of how aleatory and unfair Oscars distribution is.

Armand the sadness is the nimbus who defines the story. the special flavor for a perfect watch because the costumes, the atmosphere, the acting are splendid. but the sadness - who, in the last part, becomes so powerful, represents the basic ingredient of its special beauty. because the brilliant acting gives to it more than an adaptation status. it is something fascinating in Glenn Close/Malkovich acting who gives to story new nuances, more force. all seems be perfect. and the admirable science to create the victims has the high value of an impeccable job. each scene is a gem. the dialogs are like sword shinning. the solidarity with the evil characters is build, with precise art, step by step, in admirable manner. a film who must see it. not exactly for story. but for its splendid game of shadows and soft light.

Sergeant_Tibbs I've wanted to see Dangerous Liaisons for a while as I like Stephen Frears a lot, even if just for my sentimental favourite High Fidelity. Even though he hasn't made a top film (Fidelity is close, I'm not a fan of how Rob gets back with Laura for the third act and it holds it back), I've always admired his versatility. Based on some pretty acclaimed material, Liaisons also boasts acclaimed production design and performances from Glenn Close and John Malkovich. While the dialogue is very lyrical, I did find it quite difficult to follow and character connections particularly confused me (it's easy to follow that Malkovich was sleeping with lots of ladies but the objectives were hazy), but once clear exposition unfolded, it was a very interesting look on gender power struggles. The acting deserves every ounce of acclaim, John Malkovich is great but Glenn Close is truly amazing. It's easy to imagine her character on stage and she brings that theatrical acting into it, but there's lots of subtle complexity in her expressions. I'm not sure if it's just my admittedly cheap DVD, but it wasn't the visual splendour I was hoping for, especially considering its Oscars. it felt more like a period drama from the BBC. Perhaps it deserves Blu-Ray. As interesting as it was, my inability to follow it does hold it back a notch, maybe I'll like it more on rewatches. High definition rewatches.7/10