04/21/06 Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons (1988), directed by Stephen Frears

watched w/ Leslie; VHS (personal copy) @ home

This is more like it. A period piece that is right up my alley. I'm not big on overly flowery British dialogue in these aristocratic dramas, but this one is perfectly devilish with biting wit and scintillating innuendo. Based on the scandalous, and widely banned, late 18th century French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" this cinematic adaptation was widely acclaimed and rewarded (hmmm, interesting). The controversial tale represented a certain sect of bored and privileged French aristocracy that felt it necessary to engage in wicked games of the heart and lust. The cast included a handful of very talented actors, including the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close), the mean-spirited Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich), the virtuous Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfieffer), and the virginal Cecile de Volanges (Uma Thurman)...and Keanu Reeves (wait, how did he get in there?). Basically a basis for modern campy romances like "Cruel Intentions", this original work of debauchery is splendid. Caught in a love triangle, hell more like a love hexagon, are the two main sources of lustful evil (Close and Malkovich). Playing harshly off of their own longings for each other, and their rich inadequacies, the two scheme to play cupid with others' hearts and theoretically crush all intentions of love for the sake of one last tryst together as reward. Along the way, both are forced into a game of high-stakes passion, betrayal, jealousy, and regret. Do you honestly think there's going to be a happy ending here?! Perhaps a lesson, but no happiness. Albeit an originally scandalous book, it more than likely shed a light onto some pretty scandalous truths into high society. It's never fun to have someone mess with your heart, or your other body parts, but it sure is fun to watch rich French aristocrats have theirs handed to them huh? More money, more problems.

4 out of 5 stars