Review of Dangerous Liaisons (1988) by Ray H — 27 May 2013

An excellent movie. Academy award nominated; it won in two categories. Set in Paris, circa, late 18th century, amongst the wealthy society of the French court. Two former lovers plot to bed various virtuous women in order to exact revenge and to pad their incestuous egos. The story is a very good one. It is based upon a French novel, written in this same time period. Much of the film was shot in France. They use several very grand chateaus as locations. The costuming is very elaborate. The screenplay is exceptional. The acting is exceptional.

The cast is outstanding from top to bottom. The three leads are Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, and John Malkovich. All three are impressive. Close and Malkovich give some of the greatest performances of their careers. These two play scheming, self-absorbed, immoral debauchery to the hilt. They are in fine form. And, in supporting roles, are a young Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves. Reeves is a skinny young guy here; before he went to the gym to buff up his body.

I revisited this movie to refresh my memory and compare it to the 2012 Chinese version. It has held up very well. I think this American film is slightly better. It has better actors and the advantage of being set in the same time period as the novel.

If you missed it; do yourself a favor and check this one out.