Dangerous Liaisons [DVD] [1988] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] by Stephen Frears see more by Stephen Frears Starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves Studio Warner Home VideoLabel Warner Home Video

Closer Look From: Warner Home Video From: Warner Home Video Salesrank: 115693 Released: 1997-10-29 Running Time: 119 Minutes Lowest New Price: Click Here  Format: DVD Customer Rating: Also Shop International: (Not all items available internationally)          Dangerous Liaisons [DVD] [1988] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] Editorial Review: A sumptuously mounted and photographed celebration of artful wickedness, betrayal and sexual intrigue among depraved 18th-century French aristocrats, Dangerous Liaisons (based on Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses) is seductively decadent fun. The villainous heroes are the Marquise De Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte De Valmont (John Malkovich), who have cultivated their mutual cynicism into a highly developed and exquisitely mannered form of (in-)human expression. Former lovers, they now fancy themselves rather like demigods whose mutual desires have evolved beyond the crudeness of sex or emotion. They ritualistically act out their twisted affections by engaging in elaborate conspiracies to destroy the lives of their less calculating acquaintances, daring each other to ever-more-dastardly acts of manipulation and betrayal. Why? Just because they can; it's their perverted way of getting their kicks in a dead-end, pre-Revolutionary culture. Among their voluptuous and virtuous prey are fair-haired angels played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman, who have never looked more ripe for ravishing. When the Vicomte finds himself beset by bewilderingly genuine emotions for one of his victims, the Marquise considers it the ultimate betrayal and plots her heartless revenge. Dangerous Liaisons is a high-mannered revel for the actors, who also include Swoosie Kurtz, Mildred Natwick, and Keanu Reeves. --Jim Emerson Customer Reviews: pure enjoyment This is a lovely film with magnificent actors. I saw it first with french language, the charactors seemed superbly french, it was a shock to see the english version to realise that they were american, once I rec ognised that I enjoyed the film just as much but in a slightly different way. The author wrote this in my area, Ile d'OlĂ©ron in the Charente Maritime which also makes me attached to this film. brilliant film I love this film, John Malkovick is just brilliant, as always.Far superior to "Cruel Intentions" which was based on this film. Did Michelle Pfeiffer look ... encrusted.... to you? Another reviewer has stated that this DVD is a severely cut version of the film, and I can believe that, as it seems to gallop at far too hasty a pace. The DVD is also annoying in that it insists on defaulting to subtitles, and it's difficult to select scenes etc, as the text and colours on the menus are so unclear. The film itself has to be worth 4 stars as it's a fair rendition of the meticulously plotted book - although it has omissions, at least it does not commit the sin of changing the end. The costumes and sets are a pleasure to watch. My main reservation is the casting. Glenn Close is undoubtedly a wonderful actress, but she is no beauty, and it was implausible that a man would, at her command, have slighted his true beloved to the extent he destroys her. The "true beloved" on the other hand, Michelle Pfeiffer, convinces nicely as the pure woman whose effect on the libertine Valmont takes him wholly by surprise. Even this casting is not entirely perfect as Madame de Tourval, although cattily described by the Marquise de Merteuil as so old she is "encrusted", is actually supposed to be twenty two! The accents I found entirely jarring. On the whole captivating, although credit should really go to the author of the book, Choderlos de Laclos. The book was first published in 1782. Well, as they say, nothing changes.... did not meet expectations I bought this film thinking it would prove to be more entertaining that it's modern day remake, cruel intentions, however i was dissapointed. Cruel intentions is much better when it comes to the actual script. I was not at all convinced of the relationship between the the characters. Unfortunately despite the wonderful costumes, i would recommend cruel intentions as an alternative, it flows much better and is far more enjoyable to view. Breathtaking and dazzling period drama. This film adaptation is possibly one of the best adaptations I have ever seen committed to film. Featuring a standout cast including John Malkovic, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman (in one of her first films) and Keanu Reeves, of those mentioned I would say that John Malkovic and Michelle Pfeiffer gave the best performances. Both are mesmerizing in their respective roles and the rest of the cast are also on form with Glenn Close relishing her part. I also felt the production design and the costumes were top drawer and the direction from Stephen Frears was first class. He managed to get the feel for the period of the time, 18th Century France, to perfection and brought out some dazzling set pieces and excellent performances from his cast. It won 3 Oscars (Best Screenplay Adaptation, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction) and it could have so easily have won more. Michelle Pfeiffer won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her spellbinding performance as Madame de Tourville. All in all then, this is a first class showpiece of how decent period costume dramas should look and the result is grand indeed. I have seen this film a number of times and it still looks fresh to me. I wonder if the studio will bring out a special edition DVD next year to mark the 20th Anniversary of this film's release. This is a breathtaking and beautiful film that left this reviewer in admiration. Related Categories: >> >>Video >>DVD & Blu-ray >>Categories >>Drama >>Period