Valmont (1989)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(8,941 ratings)

The third adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' classic novel Les Liasons Dangereuses, Milos Forman's Valmont was released one year after Stephen Frears' more famous version of the de Laclos original, Dangerous Liaisons. The plot remains the same: two debauched, depraved 18th century French… More The third adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' classic novel Les Liasons Dangereuses, Milos Forman's Valmont was released one year after Stephen Frears' more famous version of the de Laclos original, Dangerous Liaisons. The plot remains the same: two debauched, depraved 18th century French aristocrats, the Vicomte de Valmont (Colin Firth) and the Marquise de Merteuil (Annette Bening), conspire to destroy several innocent lives, just for the fun of it. But whereas Stephen Frears concentrated on the machinations of the marquise, Forman, per his film's title, devotes most of his screen space to Valmont (played in the Frears version by John Malkovich). In fact, Forman's film concludes with Valmont's conscience-stricken renunciation of his past sins, and his duel to the death, rather than de Meurteil's well-deserved comeuppance. Forman has chosen to set the story back some 50 years, de-emphasizing the opulence that was vital to Frears' vision; he has also utilized a younger cast. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Milos Forman
Written By: Choderlos de Laclos, Jean-Claude Carriere
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: May 14, 2002

Critic Reviews

Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Just as good as that other one, maybe better.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Nice try, but Glenn, John and Michelle did it much better

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

I thought this was the better of the two 80's versions. Subtler.
Lanning :

Holy cra--You know how loads of non-American actors, when they're doing a movie that requires it, take the time to perfect their American accents? Why is it that so few American actors do the same thing when they are playing parts in movies that place them in countries outside… More
Holy cra--You know how loads of non-American actors, when they're doing a movie that requires it, take the time to perfect their American accents? Why is it that so few American actors do the same thing when they are playing parts in movies that place them in countries outside the US? People like Paltrow can do it. Why is that? <p> Well, first off, ideally this would have been a script written in French. But if we're going to do the French-speak-English thing, then what is it with Benning? Is she on something in this? Horrors. A total embarrassment.
Marion R

It was interesting to see all the manipulation and effort put towards getting revenge, but the ending fell short.
Leo L

This film is an interesting insight into the collection of works that Firth has selected to take on.

Cast

            Colin Firth as Vicomte de Valmont

            Annette Bening as Marquise de Merteuil

            Meg Tilly as Mme. de Tourvel

            Fairuza Balk as Cecile de Volanges

            Sian Phillips as Mme. De Volanges

            Fabia Drake as Mme. de Rosemonde

            Jeffrey Jones as Mons. Gercourt

            Henry Thomas as Chevalier Danceny

            T.P. McKenna as Baron

            Isla Blair as Baroness

            Ian McNeice as Azolan

            Aleta Mitchell as Victoire

            Ronald Lacey as Jose

            Vincent Schiavelli as Jean

            Sandrine Dumas as Martine

            Alain Frerot as 1st Thug

            Yvette Petit as Mother Superior

            Nils Tavernier as Knight of the Maltese Order

            John Arnold as Knight of the Maltese Order

            Antony Carrick as President de Tourvel

            Richard de Burnchurch as Volanges' Majordomo

            Sebastien Floche as Priest

            Murray Gronwall as Flea Market Salesman

            Daniel Laloux as Thug

            Jose Licenziato as Blind Guitar Player

            Ivan Palec as Servant

            Christian Bouillette as Thug
See full cast

Valmont (1989)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Lanning :

Marion R

Leo L

Cast

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