Dangerous Liaisons
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Movie Reviews of Dangerous Liaisons
Movie Review: A great adaptation of a great story...
Summary: 5 Stars
DANGEROUS LIAISONS is the PERFECT good vs. evil story. The two main characters just so happen to be the sleaziest people to ever grace the big screen - or the literary world, for that matter!
You all know the basic plot of the film. It's an intense game of seduce and destroy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. At moments, it is actually quite disturbing. Glenn Close and John Malkovich were the perfect people to portray the evil duo. The best thing about them is that they allow their characters to be multi-dimensional, rather than the cardboard cut out villians of CRUEL INTENTIONS, another film based on this material. You also have the satisfaction of seeing the bad guys get it in the end, yet the film never lets you forget that the innocent end up suffering as well. It's not a happy ending.
If you haven't been introduced to this story yet, see this film. You won't regret it! It's amazing.
Nominated for several Oscars, including Best Actress - Michelle Pfeiffer, as you've never seen her before! Amazing performance. Also, be on the lookout for a young Uma Thurman. Keanu Reeves is also makes an appearance.
Movie Review: Love as war
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is France near the time of the Revolution, the zenith and nadir of the Age of Reason, when all things, but especially love, have taken on the air of cold calculation and cynicism. Based on Laclos's novel of love as war, the movie, if viewers can allow themselves to view it with the eyes and spirit of its participants, can be wicked fun. The plot, especially at first, is fairly complicated, but soon the pieces fall together, and the maneuvering and scheming wend their way toward their bitter end. And it is bitter.
But it's hard to shake off what we have come to think of love after the Romantics: this is pure calculation for personal gains only, a game as ruthless as any in a high stakes poker tournament. The principals are superb in their battle garb and tactics, but it left me feeling icy all over. Perhaps as it should, but it's good to note that even here true love has its victory and its ultimate revenge, both where they rightfully belong. An excellent production. Worth a watch.
Movie Review: a real class act
Summary: 5 Stars
DANGEROUS LIAISONS is a fantastic character study of the twisted and obsessed. The classic novel translates perfectly to the screen in this adaptation by Christopher Hampton which was taken from his acclaimed stage play.Glenn Close is mesmerising as the seductive and manipulative woman who challenges the cruel Valmont (John Malkovich) to seduce her naive niece (Uma Thurman). However, Valmont also wishes to seduce and disgrace a remote beauty (Michelle Pfeiffer), totally uncaring and unaware of the tragic outcome that will envelope them both.
The stellar cast also includes Keanu Reeves (THE MATRIX, PARENTHOOD), Swoosie Kurtz (LITTLE GIRLS IN PRETTY BOXES, REALITY BITES) and veteran Mildred Natwick (THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY).
The DVD transfer is gorgeous and has a dynamic 5.1 sound mix that shows off the beautifully dramatic score by George Fenton.
Remade as VALMONT (starring Colin Firth and Fairuza Balk) and CRUEL INTENTIONS (starring Ryan Phillippe).
Movie Review: Captivating and heartbreaking
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a movie that I could easily watch 100 times over... The acting is simply superb. All of the characters come off so multi-faceted.. Are they good? Are they bad? Are they all victims of circumstances? It's hard to say.I love this movie because it makes me FEEL and it makes me THINK.. Goodness, how it frustrates me, but it does capture me. It is a really compelling film.
I am someone who watches movies for the characters more than the story-- I like to see them, and empathize with them. If you understand what I mean by that, then you'd probably like this film, because it is driven completely by the characters. Who they are and what they do determines what happens, and you cannot help but get pulled in. GREAT GREAT performances by John Malkovich and Glenn Close, as the scheming and manipulative former lovers, and by Michelle Pfeiffer, as the innocent woman they set out to corrupt..
Movie Review: Love for Malkovich
Summary: 5 Stars
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!