Valmont
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Movie Reviews of Valmont
Movie Review: More rotten than them you drown !!
Summary: 5 Stars
This adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's Les Liaisons Dangereuses , written just a few years before both the American and French revolutions is deeply interesting but also disappointing. Interesting because of the precise description it provides us with of this aristocratic absolute monarchy, a picture so true that we seem to be there and witness the last moments of a completely rotten society. The rot is shown in the evolution of aristocratic women in this society. They have nothing to do. So they plot and conspire to capture the sexual favors of the available males in their salons, and strangely enough they are not very numerous. Here the action is centered on one of these, an aristocratic gigolo of sorts. Valmont who has signed an alliance with a widow, de Merteuil, to conquer and enjoy any person of their respective opposite sexes no matter what the consequences may be. Along this line a young girl of fifteen, who is to be married with an older man, and who is just out of a convent, innocent and naive, at least, will be sexually and sentimentally educated : she will fall in love with her harp teacher, a knight of some seventeen years of age, and then she will be raped by Valmont himself while writing under his dictation a letter to that young friend of a harp teacher of hers, and then finally marry the older man when she will have understood that it is best to be married with an older man because you can manage to have as many lovers as you want under his very nose, especially since she is pregnant of this obnoxious Valmont. What can come out of this parasitic social class ? Nothing but a revolution. But Milos Forman decides not to point in that direction, and even to be very careful not to let one single hint go through. That is the great shortcoming of the film that becomes innocuous since it neglects what made the success of the novel at the time (1782) : the terrible message of an apocalyptic end coming up soon. When no moral code is respected any more the end is close, when Babylon triumphs the Second Coming is around the corner. Yet a very interesting exploration of this decadent nobility that is only noble in their titles and privileges.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne
Movie Review: An Exquisitely Beautiful Film
Summary: 5 Stars
"Valmont" is one of my favorite films of all time. It is so lovely to look at, with lavish sets, lovely country locations, exquisitely crafted costumes, and brilliant production design, that I have literally watched it over and over again. When you watch this movie, you are transported into the luxury of 17th Century aristocratic France. It also skillfully integrates music into the production, when Cecile and Madame de Merteuile go to the Opera, or when Cecile is performing songs with her harp. Of course, I want to make it clear to you right now that all reviews claiming that "Dangerous Liaisons" is a better film than Valmont are dead wrong! It is truly a tragic circumstance when a film as beautiful as "Valmont" is overlooked because of an inferior product such as "DL", just because "DL" came out first. Colin Firth is so much more likeable and dashing than John Malkovich. Annette Bening is much better than Glenn Close. In fact, the entire cast is perfect, as is every other detail of this movie, thanks to Director Milos Forman (the quality of this film is no accident). There are also fine supporting performances by Henry Thomas, Jeffrey Jones, Sian Phillips, and the last performance of the legendary Fabia Drake, who steals all the scenes she's in. But what you have to understand about "Valmont" is that it's a different kind of movie than "DL". "Dangerous Liaisons" was a cold, sinister, mean-hearted film. "Valmont" is gay, light-hearted at times, sad, tragic and heartbreaking at others. But it is never cold, and is always beautiful. And I will never neglect to say that Meg Tilly, as Madame de Tourville, is the most lovely, beautiful, and perfect creature to have ever graced the silver screen. Forget about all other actresses, Meg Tilly is the one for me. Fortunately, this film is now scheduled for release on DVD and might get the attention it truly deserves. If ever a film could exploit the brilliance of DVD technology, this one will.Movie Review: Aristocratic Libertines
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful film for the boudoir, dealing with a treachorous widow {Merteuil: Annette Bening} and her lover Valmont {Colin Firth} who make a bet that a certain perfidious woman can be seduced, despite all indications to the contrary. Indeed, where there's a will, there certainly is way. The aristocratic world of the flesh runs rampant in 17th century France, with passionate lusts, delicious seductions, precarious predicaments, beautiful environments, fiendish gentlemen and lascivious ladies - veritable succubi and incubi enjoying the pleasures of the earth, eachother, and loving every minute of it.
It seems this is the only manner where the so-called "golden rule" can be applied in "love thy neighbor as thyself", where 'love' is merely a euphemism for lust.
The sets are absolutely splendid, a definite inspiration for one's own total environment, and the actors, particularly the sublime Meg Tilly {Tourvel} for My taste, are superb. Etiquette abounds even through sinister means. The rest of the plot deals with a series of exquisite enticements. Pre-'The Craft' Fairuza Balk plays nubile 'Cecile', seduced by the salacious Valmont during a tutoring session, and even her boyfriend Danceny {Henry Thomas from E.T.} is himself seduced by the voracious Merteuil as part of a subsequent quarrel between the two, who mirror eachother in many respects, and actually admire one another's ardent natures.
Sadly, due to one bad decision, Valmont falters in a duel, and meets his demise at the hands of Danceny. It was rather humorous viewing the funeral where many of the women attending placed flowers and adoration upon him in the coffin, where the viewer knows he took his liberties with each one.
Personally, I enjoyed this version of the novel much better than the over-hyped "Dangerous Liaisons", which itself does have its points, although Valmont seems somewhat more 'authentic'.
Movie Review: Sumptuous movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a Beautiful film. Very well done and most entertaining.I saw this movie in the theatre when it was first released in late 1989, and to this day I very clearly remember that I was downright angry when I walked out of the movie theatre - all because of the story. I was incredulous; how could they kill off the handsome leading male character who, when you got right down to it, was really a good man! [how amazing for a movie to elict such a strong emotion! - obviously I was not familiar with the story prior to seeing the movie.] "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Choderlos de Laclos is a story about selfish, manipulative, bored aristocrats. It is also a story about love. This film adaptation is beautifully filmed with lavish sets and gorgeous costumes. Colin Firth, Annette Bening, and Meg Tilly are fantastic. Their performances are graceful, elegant and very subtle.
In regards to the DVD specifically, it has only the usual basic DVD features, there are no 'extras' such as director commentary, etc. The color and sound quality are excellent. The only negative comment I have regarding the DVD itself has to do with a missing scene, which is on the VHS tape and was shown in the theatrical release. The scene referred to takes place toward the end of the film where Valmont sneaks into Mdme. de Tourvel's home, slips past her husband and leaves a bouquet of flowers on her bed. Without a word spoken, so much is communicated about Valmont's character to the movie's audience. Its ashame this scene was not included. Note to whomever made this DVD: Did you think its absence wouldn't be noticed? Why would you cut out scenes that were in the original movie, when there is plenty of physical space on the DVD disk itself?
Movie Review: Far Better Than "Dangerous Liaisons"!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw "Valmont" on television some years ago and instantly fell in love with it. I had decided to purchase the dvd from Amazon.com when I came across reviews comparing this film to "Dangerous Liaisons". One review in particular gave a quite detailed comparison between the two films that concluded with a better rating for "Dangerous Liaisons". Curious, I decided to purchase the film "Dangerous Liaisons" before purchasing "Valmont". Needless to say, I was highly disappointed. Though both movies are based on the same novel and play, the storyline is better portrayed in "Valmont". Not to mention the acting was much better and far more believable. Coling Firth played a wonderful "Valmont". His character portrayal as a charming, playful and likable "rake" was far more believable as opposed to John Malkovich's character who came across as mechanical and unfeeling. More detail is given allowing the viewer to understand why the characters act as they do towards another in "Valmont" whereas while watching "Dangerous Liaisons", I felt like I was being rushed towards the ending. If someone is unfamiliar with the storyline, it would only be halfway through the film that they would be able to comprehend what the plot was. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in purchasing the dvd rent both versions and make the decision for yourself. I did and after receiving my copy of "Valmont" in the mail today - I'm selling "Dangerous Liaisons" on Amazon.com.....anyone interested? :P