Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Very clever film adaptation of the mother of epistolary novels, in the name of Choderlos de Laclos. The story is compressed but very accurately rendered (except perhaps the ending before brandiezin De Merteuil), whereby even the idea of the correspondence is nicely preserved. The whole also retains a certain lightness, due to the sometimes somewhat theatrical situations and also due to the appropriate baroque score. Unfortunately, in the last part more generic string music is used, but then again, don't think that a current director would dare to do such a score. Furthermore, of course, good acting and beautiful close-ups with a very small depth of field. The story itself continues to intrigue, especially the sophisticated denouement, in which the true emotions of the two schemers come to the fore.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Nicely made film in terms of production, they also succeed in not making it look too American at all. And that is not only due to the obvious things, such as the clothing and music - although those also work well.

The actors can indulge themselves, the character of Valmont is really right up the alley of Malkovich. Also nice to see the young Thurman and Reeves in supporting roles.

However, I didn't think the whole thing with the intrigue was interesting enough to keep me interested for a whole movie.

Relatively few posts here, by the way, about this rather well-known film.

Translated from Dutch · View original