Thirty years ago today, one of the classiest films of the Reagan era was released to rave reviews. Legendarily tough critic Pauline Kael called it "heaven- alive in a way that movies rarely are". You may think that you're allergic to costume dramas, but the entertainment value of "Dangerous Liasons" exceeds that of many films with explosions and car chases. There's nothing more exciting than top talent working on a grade-A production, and Stephen Frears' masterpiece is a prime example of that. Audiences weren't completely ambivalent, as evidenced by the $35 million gross on a $14 million budget. But talking about box office seems almost tawdry when it comes to the rare film that couldn't care less about it.
I know it sounds snobby to suggest that "Dangerous Liasons" is too intelligent for the average viewer...but it's too intelligent for the average viewer, and I'm hoping to help you break the superhero cycle and get to that higher level. You're reading this, so you're off to a good start. Glenn Close would have that Academy Award if more people payed attention. I know you loved "Cruel Intentions". Now it's time to grow up a bit. The recent arrival of "The Favourite" and "Mary Queen of Scots" makes this the perfect time to revisit the '80s classic that you've been putting off for far too long.
British composer George Fenton's bone-chilling score sets the malevolent mood before a single word of Christopher Hampton's savory dialogue has been uttered. Apparently, getting dressed for the day was an event in 18th Century France. Now would be a good time to mention that "DL" won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Glenn Close was coming off her earth-shattering work in "Fatal Attraction", when she took on another subtle, complex villainess for the ages. Alex Forrest and the Marquise de Merteuil make for one hellacious double feature. At first glance, she's an elegant, well-mannered member of high society. Beneath the facade, beats a black heart bursting with hatred for her upper-crust frenemies that she spends ample mental energy plotting against. Maliciousness mixed with sheer boredom drives the Marquise, and Close is dynamite.
I can't help but feel that John Malkovich never quite had the film career that his immense acting ability warranted. I guess we'll just have to marvel at the intensity of his rakish antihero Vicomte de Valmont, among a few other sterling portrayals(he's straight fire opposite Eastwood in 1993's "In the Line of Fire"). He's our protagonist AND an antagonist all rolled into one, and Malkovich was made for this role. Some will hate him, others will find themselves rooting for him, against their better judgment. It's rare to be granted a main character that's likable AND loathsome(the guy is a well-spoken wordsmith, you can't deny it).
My love for Michelle Pfeiffer is well-known to those that frequent this blog. The blonde beauty best remembered as Al Pacino's icy bride in "Scarface", took a big step forward as the delicate object of Valmont's desire, Madame de Tourvel. I could argue that 1988 was Pfeiffer's year, and if you don't believe me, watch "Married to the Mob" and "Tequila Sunrise", then soak in the fact that she filmed these three wildly different films in a twelve-month span(August '87-August '88). When you look back at her first significant role in 1982's lightweight "Grease 2", the growth she exhibited in those six years is tremendous.
Can Valmont seduce Tourvel, a married woman known for her inherent goodness and religious fervor? If he succeeds, he'll have another night with former lover, the Marquise to look forward to as well. "Dangerous Liasons" is the world's greatest soap opera. Watching these theater-trained pros spar is like watching the Lakers vs. the Celtics or Mike Tyson cleaning out the heavyweight division. Throw in any '80s sports analogy you want. These two are terrific.
An 18 year old Uma Thurman is impressively poised as the naïve Cecile de Volanges- another Valmont target in an engrossing subplot. Cecile is initially repelled by her aggressive suitor, before she takes the Marquise's advice(more on that later). Keanu Reeves may not be an obvious fit for pre-Revolutionary Paris, but the presence of the future action icon is an amusing touch. Keanu was 24, and it never hurts to be in a Best Picture nominee. These two attractive newcomers would both be above-the-title stars by the mid-'90s. It's safe to say that Frears' film assisted in that.
A disingenuous Valmont puts on a show at a poor village nearby, knowing that word of his benevolence will reach Tourvel. This is the 18th Century equivalent of sending your thoughts and prayers to those less fortunate on Facebook. Valmont is engaged in some ancient virtue-signaling. We all want to do for others and help those in need. As long as someone we're trying to impress finds out about it afterwards.
"I love you". I ADORE you". Can we really blame Valmont? The urgency of his pursuit frightens Tourvel, who would surely run faster if she weren't wearing fifteen pounds of clothing. The terms 'stalking' and 'sexual harassment' didn't really exist in 1782. Just think of all the men throughout history that must have taken advantage of that. This is an electrifying cat-and-mouse game, with an increasingly-rattled Pfeiffer fighting to maintain boundaries while Malkovich frantically searches for cracks in her armor. Fenton's score heightens everything.
Swoosie Kurtz has been in showbiz for her entire adult life, with many Emmy and Tony nominations to show for it. Madame de Volanges, Cecile's oblivious mother and Merteuil's cousin, will go down as her most notable film role. Of course, she also appeared in 1999's popular modern-day remake "Cruel Intentions". Kurtz is the only person that worked on both films.
I think it's fair to assume Madame isn't exactly happily married. Her husband is never present, and Valmont won't accept the tepid position of 'friend' for long. Sexual politics haven't changed THAT much in the last 250 years(as much as some might insist otherwise), and therein lies this movie's brilliance. Valmont has power and he's going to use it.
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| What a creep. |
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| "The pain is like the shame..." |
"Dangerous Liasons" was filmed entirely in northern France and features many historical buildings. No fakery here, the U.S. isn't standing in for anything. I appreciate when a filmmaker cares enough to capture the flavor of an actual location. Often times, there's no substitute.
The despicable duo revel in the effectiveness of their mind games. Cecile has been deflowered, and Tourvel is finally warming to Vicomte's amorous advances. Imagine if your whole life revolved around playing dress-up and screwing with people's lives. Many do it in the present-day without thinking twice(perhaps, not quite as overtly). I hope you're not one of them.
A defenseless Tourvel confesses her growing attraction to Valmont, in an acting exercise from Pfeiffer that should have been enough to nab the Best Supporting Actress Oscar that went to Geena Davis for "The Accidental Tourist". Mildred Natwick was a Broadway vet, whose screen credits stretch back to John Wayne's heyday. This was her final film role.
Success!! Tourvel surrenders herself at an 1:20. Valmont must have her or die. No more refusals, no more regrets. I know I sound like a broken record, but we're witnessing Pfeiffer evolve into a major screen presence here. Fun fact- real-life sparks allegedly flew between these two on the set. Unfortunately for Malkovich, any relationship that may have transpired ended shortly after filming.
"It's beyond my control". A conflicted Valmont breaks with Tourvel in a cruel display of his patented self-centeredness- a decision he rues almost immediately. Ego, pride, vanity- all incompatible with happiness. I'm sure we can all relate to immature emotions getting in the way of something good(hopefully, it happens in real-life in less dramatic fashion).
When confronted with her viciousness, the Marquise makes a frightening declaration. Close and Malkovich produce more fireworks in their last exchange, a dark and absolutely riveting five minutes of dialogue. It seems she had no intention of sharing her bed with Valmont, while being simultaneously jealous of his love for Tourvel. She finds the impressionable Danceny to be a more than suitable sex partner for the moment. We're NOT heading for a happy ending here.
Danceny challenges Valmont to a duel upon learning of the ruination of his beloved Cecile(she had a violent miscarriage). Valmont is fatally wounded by his young adversary, but not before revealing the Marquise as the odious orchestrator of all this mounting misery(and he has their letters of correspondence to prove it). Tourvel has become very ill, such was the extent of her heartbreak. Danceny agrees to visit her in a monastery with the truth. Her love is the only happiness Valmont has ever known. His cavalier persona, combined with his acceptance of the Marquise's deceptions, turns this story into an epic tragedy.
Her true nature exposed, a shamed Marquise retreats from her once-adoring public. Two people are dead because of her twisted two-faced machinations, as revealed by Danceny's distribution of the letters. Close is devastating in these last three minutes, with a breakdown scene that rivals(dare I say) Robert De Niro's eruptions in "Raging Bull". Frears skillfully brought the film in at just under two hours(a fairly common practice in the VHS era). This haunting fade-to-black wore out more than a few rewind buttons.
"Dangerous Liasons" lost Best Picture to "Rain Main"- a feel-good blockbuster and a great movie in it's own right. When given the choice between good and evil, the Academy usually chooses the former. Think "Rocky" over "Taxi Driver" in '76 and "Forrest Gump" over "Pulp Fiction" in '94. "DL" is a tough movie for some. I'm glad I was adventurous enough as a teenager to give it a try on cable twenty-plus years ago. I would own the DVD as a full-grown adult and revisit it several more times. The sheer quality of it never fails to astonish, and I'd rather not know the ignoramus that hasn't ever thought about watching this movie at any point in his/her life. What are you doing that's more important? What Netflix show could possibly be better?? The world of film is deeper and richer and more vast than you realize. "Dangerous Liasons" is one of the world's greatest films.
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