Dangerous Liaisons
In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go as planned.
Critics Sentiment
Merteuil is booed at the opera after her schemes are exposed
Valmont abruptly dismisses Tourvel with the excuse beyond my control
The dramatic shift from Valmont's cruel dismissal of Tourvel to his redemptive death in the duel represents a 3.1 point swing from despair to tragic nobility.
Critics consistently praised Dangerous Liaisons as an elegant adaptation that transforms 18th century decadence into timeless drama. The film builds from strong setup through increasingly complex manipulations, reaching emotional devastation when love is destroyed, before achieving cathartic resolution through justice and consequences. While some found casting issues and disturbing content problematic, most reviewers celebrated the performances, particularly Close and Malkovich, and the film's unflinching moral examination.
Full cast
Glenn Close
Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil
John Malkovich
Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont
Michelle Pfeiffer
Madame Marie de Tourvel
Uma Thurman
Cécile de Volanges
Swoosie Kurtz
Madame de Volanges
Keanu Reeves
Le Chevalier Raphael Danceny
Mildred Natwick
Madame de Rosemonde
Peter Capaldi
Azolan
Joe Sheridan
Georges
Valerie Gogan
Julie
Laura Benson
Emilie
Joanna Pavlis
Adèle
Nicholas Hawtrey
Major-domo
Paulo Abel Do Nascimento
Castrato
François Lalande
Curé
François Montagut
Belleroche
Harry Jones
Armand
Christian Erickson
Bailiff
Catherine Cauwet
Opera Singer
Crew
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