A scintillating study of sexual politics that skillfully presents the cruel ways two malevolent protagonists manipulate their targets and deceive others around them.
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:26
Fresh:24
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.8/10
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: DANGEROUS LIASONS is Stephen Frears' terse adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' famous epistolary tale about the sexual machinations of two jaded eighteenth century French aristocrats. In order to... DANGEROUS LIASONS is Stephen Frears' terse adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' famous epistolary tale about the sexual machinations of two jaded eighteenth century French aristocrats. In order to get revenge on a man who jilted her, the wicked Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) persuades a former lover, the rakish Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich), to deflower the man's virginal young fiancee (Uma Thurman). Valmont agrees, but presents the Marquise with his own challenge: if he succeeds in seducing a virtuous young wife known for her unshakable fidelity, Madame de Tourvel (Michele Pfieffer), the Marquise must grant Valmont a night in bed. The cold-blooded twosome proceed gleefully with their heartless scheme against the stunning backdrop of aristocratic France, displaying high stakes sexual gamesmanship and deceitful cunning. When the Valmont succeeds in seducing the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, the pair unexpectantly realize they have fallen in love, tragically defying the rules of the inhuman game, much to the horror of the cruel Marquise de Merteuil. Beautifully filmed with lavish period costumes, DANGEROUS LIASONS features critically acclaimed performances by its all-star cast. [More]
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman
Director: Stephen Frears
Director: Stephen Frears
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton
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Reviews for Dangerous Liaisons
Tantalizingly wicked -- watching it makes the color rise to your cheeks.
If the very most basic plot is a little too much like some of those incompetently made French sex-romps that show up on late-night cable, everything else is first-rate in this production.
Emotional cruelty through sexual manipulation is the rule of the game of this smooth transfer of Christopher Hampton's witty play, with an all-American cast, headed by Glenn Close and best of all Michelle Pfeiffer.
Stephen Frears' direction is superb -- the design and lighting evoke simultaneous worlds of privilege and squalor, and while the nature of day-to-day life in 18th century France becomes readily apparent, it never becomes distracting.
This incisive study of sex as an arena for manipulative power games takes too long to catch fire and suffers from a deficient central performance.
Its vernacular style allows the film to connect easily with present-day morals, sexual politics, and thirst for power.
A sombre, manipulative affair in which the décor is never allowed to usurp our interest.
Director Stephen Frears accelerates entertainingly through Christopher Hampton's wig-and-powder sado-comedy about sexual mind games in 18th-century France.
Close, Malkovich e Pfeiffer aproveitam ao máximo seus fascinantes personagens e os diálogos afiados do roteiro de Hampton, mas o filme é um pouco mais frio do que deveria.
Latest News for Dangerous Liaisons
August 11, 2008:
Bernie Brillstein: 1931-2008 ![]()
Bernie Brillstein, the producer who worked behind the scenes on countless television shows and films, including The Muppet Show and Dangerous Liaisons, succumbed late last week... More...
February 12, 2007:
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September 28, 2006:
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March 04, 2005:
Christopher Hampton to Adapt "Strange" Tale
Looks like New Line wants to get back into the epic fantasy business. Variety reports that screenwriter Christopher Hampton ("Dangerous Liaisons," "Mary... More...
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