Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer

Set in France around 1760-1770. The Marquise de Merteuil needs a favour from her ex-lover, Vicomte de Valmont. One Marquise de Merteuil's ex-lover, Gercourt, is planning on marrying a young, virtuous,...( read more  read more... ) woman called Cécile de Volanges. The Marquise would like Valmont to seduce Cecile before her wedding day. Meanwhile Valmont has a conquest of his own in mind, Madame de Tourvel, a beautiful, married, and God fearing woman. The Marquise doesn't think that Valmont can do it, she tells him that if he can provide written proof of a sexual encounter with Madame de Tourvel, that she will offer him a reward, one last night with her. But Valmont will find himself falling in love with Mrs. de Tourvel, and facing the deadly jealousy of the Marquise de Merteuil.

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85% liked it

38,319 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

26 critics

R, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Stephen Frears

Release Date: January 1, 1988

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DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (1,794)


  • August 21, 2009
    Very good acting. The story wasn't the greatest, but it was still interesting.
  • May 31, 2009
    good plot

    JOHN MALKOVICH is a strange actor... he kept the same face the entire time!!! he never showed emotion evan when he died!
  • April 7, 2009
    This is basically Elizabeth, if Elizabeth were an old slutty manipulatress. I know it's a good movie and technically impressive and all that shit that bodice-rippers always are, but these films always deal with the exact same themes. "lol the hidden strength of a woman" "lol the ...( read more)heart plays by no rules" "lol even the most dignified man is still a beast" Come on, now. Mix things up a little bit.

    The highlight of the film remains John Malkovich, a chilling sociopath who's out to ruin as many lives as possible just for personal challenge. His performance is a study in how to properly exude inexpressiveness - the perverse, confused smiles, and the declarations of love that are totally hollow even when he doesn't mean them to be. It is almost terrifying. Glenn Close is also capable, though the character is no new take on the Imperial Dragon Lady. Uma Thurman and Michelle Pfeiffer fade away, the latter especially surprisingly considering she picked up a Supporting Actress nod. And Keanu Reeves...*sigh* That performance in The Gift is looking more and more like a fluke every day.

    Anyway, Dangerous Liaisons isn't bad. It's just nothing special. Another example of the Oscars drinking the Period Piece Koolaid. There's a bit of humor, and a bit of nastiness and a bit of violence and a whole lot of lust, and it makes the movie watchable but nothing even remotely near art or auteurial. If you're not totally sick of these films yet, I guess this is a good place to go.
  • April 2, 2009
    Manipulative aristocrats John Malkovich and Glenn Close engage in sexual conquest and gender warfare beneath the outward formality and respectability of 18th century France. Valmont was the part that propelled Malkovich into the big leagues and is the part he was born to play. He...( read more) treads the line perfectly between caddishness and charm as he seduces and beds every woman he encounters for the thrill of the chase, and shows great skill and subtlety in making such a despicable and morally weak character sympathetic toward the end of the film. All the best scenes are of course concerned with the verbal sparring between Valmont and the bitter and calculating Marquise played with equal skill by Close, but Michelle Pfeiffer's sensitive performance and porcelain beauty also paint a believable picture of a woman who would melt the heart of even such a cold-hearted Casanova. The direction is a little flat belying its roots as a stage play and the cinematography a little drab by today's standards, but the witty and perceptive script and excellent performances by the three leads make it well worth a look even for those not enamoured by period drama.
  • June 12, 2008
    This movie is based on a novel, set in 18th century France. Two similar characters - Merteuil (Glenn Close) and Valmont (John Malkovich) scheme and manipulate to get their own revenge and desires with disastrous consequences. The movie has fab costumes. Great plot and cast. It's ...( read more)very theatrical.
  • October 9, 2009
    me encantan las peliculas de epoca y esta es mi favorita.
  • September 23, 2009
    I love France in this time.... pretty dresses. I found it very intriguing and seductive. Proves once more Glenn Close is astonishing and that Keanu Reeves actually has had a good role in his life. WOW.
  • September 18, 2009
    Smart and clever. Outstanding plot and direction, and a cast for the ages. The ending is so powerful and classic.

    83/100
  • August 21, 2009
    Nice job of a clever and beautiful film. This is what cinematography is all about!
  • August 16, 2009
    Ruined by horrible acting.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

An absorbing and seductive movie. full review

View more Dangerous Liaisons reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • MorpheusOne
    October 5, 2007
    A character driven story to be sure, it is FAR FAR superior to it's remake which was mostly just a waste of my time.
  • saba7036
    June 20, 2007
    Really a Good one! Great acts,well deserved 3 Oscars..I like this quote of It:" I'm sorry to say this but those who are most worthy of love are never made happy by it. Do you still think men love the way we do? No... men enjoy the happiness they feel. We can only enjoy the happiness we give. They are not capable of devoting themselves exclusively to one person. So to hope to be made happy by love is a certain cause of grief."

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Facts


  • Fun Fact:
    This movie was based on the controversial French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, by Choderlos de Laclos. The screenplay required significant adaptation, as the novel consists entirely of letters written between the various characters. There is no con...( read more)ventional narration, only correspondence.

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Dangerous Liaisons Trivia


  • What movie is Cruel intentions(1999?) a modern re-make of?  Answer »
  • This actor performed in Johnny English, Dangerous Liaisons and The Man with the Iron Mask. Who is he?  Answer »
  • What actress plays the young girl Cecile whose "tutor" is Monsieur Viconte de Valmont in th movie "Dangerous Liaisons"?  Answer »
  • Cruel Intentions is a present day version of what period movie?  Answer »

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