786. Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Running Time: 119 minutes
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Christopher Hampton, from novel by Choderlos de Laclos and play by Christopher Hampton
Main Cast: John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves

SOME AMAZING DISPLAYS OF ACTING ABILITY...AND KEANU REEVES

After a brief hiatus and a overworked week, I finally got a chance to sit down and continue down my path of "1001 Movies I Must See Before I Die". The movie I decided on was Stepehn Frears "Dangerous Liaisons", a film that I remember not liking, but surprisingly enjoying immensely this go around.

The Marquise de Merteuil (Close) receives a visit from her acquaintance and fellow schemester, the Vicomte de Valmont (Malkovich). Valmont is a vicious character, who's only pleasures in life are the women that he hunts, purely for the sexual enjoyment and then throws them away like a used handkerchief. Merteuil, knowing these facts, asks a favor of Valmont: seduce the daughter of Madame de Volanges, Cecile, so that she may have revenge on a former lover, who is promised Cecile's hand in marriage. Valmont, seeing the task as one too easy for him, due to the fact that Cecile is naive and young and would make to easy of a pawn, declines. He, however, announces his own personal conquest that he is about to embark on which involves the Madame de Tourvel (Pfeiffer), who is spending time at his aunt's house while her husband is abroad. As opposed to Cecile, Madame de Tourvel would be a grand victory and conquering her body would certainly allow him to prove to himself just how much of a master manipulator he is. Merteuil, interested in Valmont's idea and knowing that Valmont wants her as well, proposes a counter offer: get written proof that he "spent the night in de Tourvel's company" and she would give herself to Valmont.

Valmont embarks on his conquest, visiting his auntie in the country and laying the ground work with de Tourvel. Meanwhile, Cecile (Thurman) has fallen in love with music teacher Chevalier Danceny (Reeves), although her mother doesn't approve and doubly doesn't approve when she finds out that they've been corresponding. Wanting to get back at de Volanges for boycotting his progress with de Tourvel, Valmont decided to help Cecile get letters back and forth to Danceny, cooking up a scheme that requires that Cecile get him her bedroom chamber key. With they key in hand, Valmont can't quite resist the fact that a beautiful woman lies just feet away at his auntie's and uses the key to enter Cecile's chamber and take advantage of her. Valmont also continues to make progress with de Tourvel, proclaiming his "love" for her and receiving only friendship in return, as they take to daily walks on auntie's grounds. Valmont begins to feel real love for de Tourvel, and sensing this fact Merteuil throws him off of that course by telling him a story and making him fear for his reputation.

The book proclaims that "Glenn Close steals the show..." and I'll have to fiercely disagree. In my eyes, it is John Malkovich, who without a doubt walks off with the show stealing title here, despite a fantastic performance by Glenn Close, which even at fantastic can't compare with the performance of Malkovich. Not only is it the performance of Malkovich that is entertaining, but the character of Valmont as well, an absolutely despicable character that you really do love to hate...or maybe hate yourself for loving. He is such a cretin, however, even at his most cretinous you want him to succeed in his schemes. The movie is quite sexy, despite being set in the 18th century. However, the word "sex" or any of it's derivatives are never mentioned in the film and instead we're treated to clever nuances (for lack of a better word), and in turn it makes the movie that much more sexy, because we're never hearing anything really being discussed directly and thus forced to form our own ideas. If I have any gripe it would be Keanu Reeves, who has a laughable onscreen presence, with the likes of a game face toting Glenn Close and John Malkovich and the guy really just seems out of place, like a little leaguer playing outfield for the Yankees.

RATING: 7/10 Without Malkovich this film would've been good, but not nearly as enjoyable and in my opinion it is he who makes the film.

MOVIES WATCHED: 145
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 856

September 17, 2010 6:14pm