Valmont
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Actor: Annette Bening, Colin Firth, Fairuza Balk, Meg Tilly, Siān PhillipsDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 137 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-09-17
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Reviews of Valmont
DVD Review: Les Liaisons Dangereuses It's Not
Summary: 2 Stars
If you were to read a summary of this movie, such as the ones in the critics' reviews above, you would get the impression that the main storyline involves the Vicomte de Valmont's seduction of the virtuous Madame de Tourvel and later change of heart due to his love for her. But you would be wrong.
I had been interested when I found a film adaptation of _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_ titled "Valmont," because I think the Vicomte de Valmont is in some ways the central character of the novel. However, it turns out that he had remarkably little screen-time for the title character. There are long digressions about Madame de Merteuil and her schemes for Cecile and Danceny between every time we see him, and that plotline, which was secondary in the book and other movie versions I've seen ("Dangerous Liaisons" and "Cruel Intentions"), seems to dominate this movie. And while I certainly don't object to the lack of focus on the Valmont/Tourvel romance, which is usually beefed up for modern viewers, I felt like we never really got to know Valmont, the supposed main character. I often had trouble figuring out what was going on in his head: for example, why does he suggest that Cecile marry Danceny? Is he doing this out of the goodness of his heart (hopefully not), or to thwart Merteuil (for which he has no motivation at that point in the film), or for some other reason that I can't guess?
I do think Colin Firth did well with what he had, and he certainly portrayed the charming aspect of Valmont's character better than Malkovich in "Dangerous Liaisons." You could actually see why Madame de Tourvel and others would be attracted to him. But Valmont simply isn't given enough time for us to appreciate or even understand him.
In general I think the rest of the acting is likewise well done - except for the next most important character, the Marquise de Merteuil. Annette Bening makes her seem like a charming young woman more than a cold-hearted, manipulative one. In a sense this is a good thing, because we understand why Madame de Volanges would trust her, but we don't really get to see her inner, calculating nature. Again, I sometimes had a hard time figuring out her actual feelings and intentions at a given point, and this made her less human and sympathetic for me (I never had any of these problems with Glenn Close in "Dangerous Liaisons," whose stunning performance despite everything caused Merteuil to become my favorite character in the movie). I have to say also that Bening's arch smiles and laughter became annoying after a while (and she was *always* smiling and laughing).
She was really the only actor who disappointed me (though that's no small failing).... Fairuza Balk is excellent as Cecile. She really gives off the appropriate air of youth and naivete (much more so than her counterpart in "Dangerous Liaisons"), and her performance is in my opinion the best in the film, a good thing given the increased importance of her character's plotline. Sian Phillips does very well as the stern Madame de Volanges, especially compared to Swoosie Kurtz in "Dangerous Liaisons," who seems to portray the character in a comic light. I also thought Meg Tilly does a good job as Madame de Tourvel, though as I've said her character isn't actually very important in this adaptation. Unlike Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Liaisons," she convinced me of Tourvel's virtue and principles right from the beginning, and even made her growing love for Valmont almost believable, not to mention her later obsession with Valmont's happiness, which is just as over-the-top and strange as it is in the book.
Also on the positive side, I really like the music, sets and costumes; much better than those of "Dangerous Liaisons" in my opinion. I like the fact that there were more outdoor scenes, and more color and vibrancy overall. Furthermore, I thought this movie has a more authentic eighteenth century "feel" to it, whereas "Dangerous Liaisons" felt more like twentieth century people with twentieth century attitudes and mannerisms put in eighteenth century costumes and settings. Well, it feels authentic until all the weird stuff starts happening near the end....
Which brings me to my other major objection: while this movie starts out well, as it progresses, some rather bizarre and incredible things start happening (spoilers ahead). For example, at one point Danceny threatens Madame de Merteuil with a sword - but in that period a gentleman would never do such a thing, especially not Danceny, who always struck me as unusually chivalrous. Further on, Valmont plans for Cecile to escape from her house disguised as a man - a little too melodramatic and unrealistic for my taste, something you would expect to see in an adaptation of a drama/adventure story like _The Scarlet Pimpernel_, rather than of a social novel like _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_. For my last example: Valmont hires drunks from a tavern to be his seconds in a duel - not only is this not something an 18th century nobleman like Valmont would have done, but the focus on comedy, provided by a drunk Valmont and his lowlife seconds, made it difficult for me to take seriously the (supposedly) tragic scene of Valmont's death.
Please note that I do not object to these on account of their being digressions from the book - well, I do, but I could have overlooked that if they actually made sense, but as it is they cause the movie to lose credibility for me. The ending also diverged from that of the book, which would not necessarily be a problem except that I honestly can't tell what the makers of the movie were trying to do by changing the ultimate fates of Cecile, Merteuil and Tourvel in such drastic ways.
So, to sum up: good score, good sets, good costumes, generally good acting - it should have made for a good movie, but the strange choices with regard to the story spoiled it for me. "For me" being the operative words here, however - I realize that I have been reviewing it mostly based on comparison with the book and other movie adaptations. Maybe I disliked/didn't understand certain elements of plot and character simply because I was looking for this movie to be like _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_ and it wasn't. So if you're just looking for a entertaining movie to pass the time, and you're not too picky (or you haven't read the book or seen any other film adaptations), you might like it.
Description of Valmont
This delectable thriller stars Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary) and Oscars® nominee* Annette Bening (American Beauty) as embittered aristocrats who weave a wicked web of cruel intentions and savage seductions. Directed by Oscar® winner** Milos Forman, Valmont is a darkly amusing period drama that issimply a piece of high entertainment (The Hollywood Reporter). In 18th-century France, a cruel and calculating playboy, Valmont (Firth), makes a malicious wager with the equally wicked Madame de Merteuil (Bening): Valmont must dishonor the married Madame de Tourvel (Meg Tilly) by sleepingwith her. If Valmont succeeds, he gets the privilege of Merteuil's bed as well. But when Valmont sets out on his task, the unexpected happens...he falls in love with Tourvel! And now Merteuil will stop at nothing to destroy Valmont's newfound passion. *1990: Supporting Actress, The Grifters; 1999: Actress, American Beauty *1975: Director, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; 1984: Director, AmadeusBestsellers in DVD
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