❝I consulted the strictest moralists to learn how to appear, philosophers to find out what to think, and novelists to see what I could get away with. And in the end, I distilled everything to one wonderfully simple principle: win or die.❞
∘₊──── • ♧ • ✧ • ♧ • ────₊∘
Dangerous Liaisons is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, from the outfits, to the sets/locations, and the cast themselves. Glenn Close and John Malkovich are absolutely the centre and life force here, and I don't think it would've worked without them. The film is just stuffed to the brim with secret trysts, letters to and from everyone to each other, and a weird sexually charged atmosphere at all times. I have to say, seeing Malkovich with hair was a massive jumpscare, but he was so good as the slimy Vicomte de Valmont and oddly engaging. Glenn Close was gorgeous and elegant as the Marquise de Merteuil, and a lot of her excellent acting came down to minute changes in her facial expressions which said everything and nothing at the same time. Uma Thurman and Michelle Pfeiffer were equally as stunning, but the latter gave a stronger and heart-wrenching performance as Madame de Tourvel. The other jumpscare I got was Peter Capaldi appearing in a white-blonde wig with his thick Scottish accent amongst all the posh Americanness. Keanu Reeves made a brief appearance too, and as much as I love him his acting was brutally flat and wooden.
One of the reasons I love historical films is the wardrobe and makeup for different time periods, and this film had some of the most magnificent and accurate dresses I've ever laid eyes on. And combined with the truly exquisite interior design intentionally evocative of wealthy pre-revolution France, every scene was a delight to look at.
If you like period films and a battle of the sexes, then I'd recommend giving Dangerous Liaisons a go, if only to see John Malkovich in wig after wig.
❝I consulted the strictest moralists to learn how to appear, philosophers to find out what to think, and novelists to see what I could get away with. And in the end, I distilled everything to one wonderfully simple principle: win or die.❞
∘₊──── • ♧ • ✧ • ♧ • ────₊∘
Dangerous Liaisons is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, from the outfits, to the sets/locations, and the cast themselves. Glenn Close and John Malkovich are absolutely the centre and life force here, and I don't think it would've worked without them. The film is just stuffed to the brim with secret trysts, letters to and from everyone to each other, and a weird sexually charged atmosphere at all times. I have to say, seeing Malkovich with hair was a massive jumpscare, but he was so good as the slimy Vicomte de Valmont and oddly engaging. Glenn Close was gorgeous and elegant as the Marquise de Merteuil, and a lot of her excellent acting came down to minute changes in her facial expressions which said everything and nothing at the same time. Uma Thurman and Michelle Pfeiffer were equally as stunning, but the latter gave a stronger and heart-wrenching performance as Madame de Tourvel. The other jumpscare I got was Peter Capaldi appearing in a white-blonde wig with his thick Scottish accent amongst all the posh Americanness. Keanu Reeves made a brief appearance too, and as much as I love him his acting was brutally flat and wooden.
One of the reasons I love historical films is the wardrobe and makeup for different time periods, and this film had some of the most magnificent and accurate dresses I've ever laid eyes on. And combined with the truly exquisite interior design intentionally evocative of wealthy pre-revolution France, every scene was a delight to look at.
If you like period films and a battle of the sexes, then I'd recommend giving Dangerous Liaisons a go, if only to see John Malkovich in wig after wig.
