Day 146 Dangerous
Liaisons
[1988]
Screenplay Christopher Hampton
Based on ‘Les liaisons dangereuses’ by Christopher
Hampton which is based on ‘Les Liaisons dangereuses’ by Pierre Choderlos de
Laclos
Director Stephen Frears
Cinematography Philippe Rousselot
Music George Fenton
Leads Glenn
Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves, Uma
Thurman, Peter Capaldi
Production Lorimar Film Entertainment
IMDb 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Dangerous
liaisons indeed. The basis for every 90s and noughties teenage boy’s favourite
movie Cruel Intentions thanks to the infamous kiss between Selma Blair
and Sarah Michelle Gellar. This movie is an adaptation of the theatrical
adaptation of a book about the French aristocracy in pre-revolution Paris. With
too many Vicomtes, Marquises and Madames to count it tells the tale of upper-class
debauchery, specifically Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont, who are
played in a wonderfully evil fashion by Close and Malkovich. They enjoy
tormenting others when it comes to love, marriage and virtues, having once been
lovers themselves, with the Marquise out for revenge and the Vicomte up for a
challenge. I don’t enjoy giving spoilers, but there is a lot of seduction
involved and Malkovich performs this slimy job to perfection, slithering around
the servant’s quarters like a basilisk (yes that’s a Harry Potter
reference). Close also gives one of her routinely perfect performances that we
are so used to. She is one of the few actresses of her generation to rival
Streep and Mirren. I also thought Pfeiffer and a young Thurman portrayed their
roles well, although a young Keanu Reeves was awful. To be honest it’s not
really my kind of film, and perhaps more suited to my mum, with the eccentric
English director Stephen Frears at the helm. The film is best for its set
design and the two lead actors. Not my cup of tea.
Acting 4 / 4
Writing 3 / 4
Cinematography 2 / 4
Music 2.5 / 4
HWF rating 2.5
/ 4
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