Dangerous Liaisons

Movie Name: Dangerous Liaisons
Year of Release: 1988
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman, Mildred Natwick, Peter Capaldi, Joe Sheridan, Valerie Gogan, Laura Benson
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:

After the well received double bill of "Prick Up Your Ears" and "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid", the prolific Stephen Frears tackled the adaptation of the Choderlos de Laclos book, which was also a play by Christopher Hampton, who tackled the screenplay (and went on to win an Academy Award for that adaptation). The film follows the story of the tortuous amorous games in Paris during the 18th century, particularly the ones played by Madame de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. The Marquise who had an affair in the past with the Vicomte, calls upon him to seduce the bride to be of a lover who recently jilted her. The Vicomte denies her request, since he's engaged in a game of seduction with a married virtuous woman, Madame de Tourvel. His challenge, according to him, is to make her want him, and still remain a creature of virtue. When his plans are dashed, virtue of exchanged correspondence, he decides to seduce the young bride to be, even if it's against her will, in order to vex her mother, pleasing Madame de Merteuil in the process. Merteuil ups the ante on the game, and agrees to resume their affair, if the Vicomte indeed manages to seduce the beautiful and virtuous Tourvel. This sinuous game of seduction has dramatic outcomes. 

"Dangerous Liaisons" is a film that though being based on a stage play, manages to transcend it, transporting the viewers to the boudoir of all these characters. It's a film that has an astute sense of showcasing female sexuality, essentially demonstrating how women used their influence, at a time where their power and their roles were limited. Stephen Frears manages to infuse the film with a rhythm and cadence that is simultaneously dynamic, sumptuous and as the story unfolds, achingly romantic. There's something both classic and contemporary in the way the film captures the relationships between the lead characters, which makes this film so successful (particularly exhibited by the extreme awareness of the roles played by all players by the Marquise de Merteuil) . The supporting characters have less of an opportunity to be sufficiently developed, but the central trio is riveting and captivating. This film, probably more so than any other adaptation of the book thus far, benefits from a terrific cast, with Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer in particular being devastatingly fantastic. The production design from the fantastic Stuart Craig is impeccable, as is the cinematography from Philippe Rousselot  and the score from George Fenton. A great film always worth revisiting.