Review of Dangerous Liaisons (1988) by Edith N — 15 Feb 2008

This is one of the loveliest films we've seen in some time. Not [i]shiny[/i], though we've certainly seen jewels and such sparkling on Glenn Close and John Malkovich and so on. However, the costumes are astonishing. I don't know about [i]A Handful of Dust[/i]; aside from its nomination here, I've never heard of it. But with the possible exception of that one, [i]Dangerous Liaisons[/i] had no competition in the Best Costume Design field. Only [i]Roger Rabbit[/i] could give it any competition in Best Art Design. This is a lovely, astonishingly lovely movie. It's amazing.

Glenn Close is the Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil, a wealthy, libertine widow. She has made it a habit to take whatever lovers she pleased; her long-term lover was John Malkovich, Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont. He is Not Received because of his rakehell ways. He has seduced his way through Parisian society, and he is not at all ashamed of it. He makes a bargain with the Marquise that he will seduce Cécile de Volanges (Uma Thurman) for her if she will help him seduce Madame Marie de Tourvel (Michelle Pfieffer), a noble and gracious woman. Also honourable, hence her appeal to the Vicomte. He succeeds in both goals, of course, but all does not go according to plan.

The thing is, the Marquise and the Vicomte are very obviously in love with each other, but neither are the monogamous kind. They use their various seductions almost to sustain their love for one another. In the end, the Vicomte wants her most, even when he thinks he is in love with Madame de Tourvel. (He never for a second imagines he is in love with Cécile.) He is challenged by her sudden affection for Cécile's love, Le Chevalier Raphael Danceny (Keanu Reeves, of all people), and this causes him to make what turns out to be his greatest mistake. He uses Cécile's passion, which he has schooled himself, as a weapon against the Marquise, and they both end up suffering more for it than either could have anticipated--but the Marquise used Madame de Tourvel's passion as a weapon against the Vicomte (and vice versa) first. These people can think of no other weapon, no other tool, half so successful.

These are not good people. No one in this film should be emulated. Madame de Tourvel can be sympathized with, but she is a collaborator in what eventually happen to her because she does not trust her instincts. Madame de Volanges (Swoosie Kurtz) is trying to protect her daughter, but she is equally interested in sucking up to the Marquise, and it leads her daughter into a situation she would not have expected. The Marquise and the Vicomte are both casually evil, and the Chevalier is a callow boy perfectly willing to betray his Great Love. (It's the only reason Keanu is bearable here.) These people are not just flawed, kids. They're either stupid or wicked, and often both. The Marquise made Cécile complicit in her own rape, for heaven's sake!

Still, this is a fascinating story and a beautiful film. I cannot say if it's either Close's or Malkovich's best performance, because I haven't seen enough of either of their work to judge, but they are both magnificent here. Even Uma Thruman, whom I don't like very much, does an excellent job at the foolish Cécile. And Keanu Reeves successfully plays an idiot. (Seriously, Hollywood. Keanu as Klaatu? I know their names sound kind of alike, but this is not good enough.) It is, I understand, supposed to be highbrow or pretentious or something to really like this movie. But if it's really good--and it is--what's the problem?