Rating: 
Summary: An Exquisitely Beautiful Film
Review: "Valmont" is one of my favorite films of all time. It is so lovely to look at, with lavish sets, lovely country locations, exquisitely crafted costumes, and brilliant production design, that I have literally watched it over and over again. When you watch this movie, you are transported into the luxury of 17th Century aristocratic France. It also skillfully integrates music into the production, when Cecile and Madame de Merteuile go to the Opera, or when Cecile is performing songs with her harp. Of course, I want to make it clear to you right now that all reviews claiming that "Dangerous Liaisons" is a better film than Valmont are dead wrong! It is truly a tragic circumstance when a film as beautiful as "Valmont" is overlooked because of an inferior product such as "DL", just because "DL" came out first. Colin Firth is so much more likeable and dashing than John Malkovich. Annette Bening is much better than Glenn Close. In fact, the entire cast is perfect, as is every other detail of this movie, thanks to Director Milos Forman (the quality of this film is no accident). There are also fine supporting performances by Henry Thomas, Jeffrey Jones, Sian Phillips, and the last performance of the legendary Fabia Drake, who steals all the scenes she's in. But what you have to understand about "Valmont" is that it's a different kind of movie than "DL". "Dangerous Liaisons" was a cold, sinister, mean-hearted film. "Valmont" is gay, light-hearted at times, sad, tragic and heartbreaking at others. But it is never cold, and is always beautiful. And I will never neglect to say that Meg Tilly, as Madame de Tourville, is the most lovely, beautiful, and perfect creature to have ever graced the silver screen. Forget about all other actresses, Meg Tilly is the one for me. If only this movie would come out on DVD, because it is so beautiful to look at it really deserves to be on disc.
Rating:
Summary: Decadent Fun!
Review: I don't own this movie yet, but I have to confess that I look every month in our cable guide to see if and when it's on. All I have to say about this movie is that I've never had so much fun sitting in front of a TV watching two rich snobs play underhanded games with so many other people. Dangerous Liasons nothing! John Malcovich is so stiff an actor you could probably snap him like a twig, and Michelle Pfeiffer is too overrated. I love this cast, particularly the sexy tension between Colin Firth and Annette Bening as they try to best each other in their bet. Meg Tilly is commendably vulnerable and Faruza Balk's character is one you root for as they're both ruthlessly victimized by Valmont. The ironic part of the entire film is that, rat or not, I ended up being turned on by Valmont myself!
Let's just say I haven't ignored Colin Firth since.
Rating:
Summary: Decadent Fun!
Review: I don't own this movie yet, but I have to confess that I look every month in our cable guide to see if and when it's on. All I have to say about this movie is that I've never had so much fun sitting in front of a TV watching two rich snobs play underhanded games with so many other people. Dangerous Liasons nothing! John Malcovich is so stiff an actor you could probably snap him like a twig, and Michelle Pfeiffer is too overrated. I love this cast, particularly the sexy tension between Colin Firth and Annette Bening as they try to best each other in their bet. Meg Tilly is commendably vulnerable and Faruza Balk's character is one you root for as they're both ruthlessly victimized by Valmont. The ironic part of the entire film is that, rat or not, I ended up being turned on by Valmont myself!
Let's just say I haven't ignored Colin Firth since.
Rating:
Summary: Far Better Than "Dangerous Liaisons"!!!
Review: I first saw "Valmont" on television some years ago and instantly fell in love with it. I had decided to purchase the dvd from Amazon.com when I came across reviews comparing this film to "Dangerous Liaisons". One review in particular gave a quite detailed comparison between the two films that concluded with a better rating for "Dangerous Liaisons". Curious, I decided to purchase the film "Dangerous Liaisons" before purchasing "Valmont". Needless to say, I was highly disappointed. Though both movies are based on the same novel and play, the storyline is better portrayed in "Valmont". Not to mention the acting was much better and far more believable. Coling Firth played a wonderful "Valmont". His character portrayal as a charming, playful and likable "rake" was far more believable as opposed to John Malkovich's character who came across as mechanical and unfeeling. More detail is given allowing the viewer to understand why the characters act as they do towards another in "Valmont" whereas while watching "Dangerous Liaisons", I felt like I was being rushed towards the ending. If someone is unfamiliar with the storyline, it would only be halfway through the film that they would be able to comprehend what the plot was. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in purchasing the dvd rent both versions and make the decision for yourself. I did and after receiving my copy of "Valmont" in the mail today - I'm selling "Dangerous Liaisons" on Amazon.com.....anyone interested? :P
Rating: 
Summary: A Close Call With Dangerous Liaisons
Review: I found this adaptation by Milos Forman to be better acted in some of the roles than the earlier release of Dangerous Liasons. Colin Firth as Valmont seemed more to be the type of Don Giovanni aristocrat of that period than John Malkovich's sinister rendition. Michell Pfeiffer simply failed to deliver a credible performance as an 18th century demoiselle; like many other method actors, she can only play herself. In that respect, Meg Tilly was more convincing as the innocent victim of Valmont's scheme. I did like Glenn Close more than Annette Bening as the wicked vixen but, overall, Valmont more closely represented the mannerisms and culture of 18th century France than Dangerous Liaisons.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding yet neglected film
Review: I happened to watch this movie on TV, quite a while ago. Despite the rather "unastable" ending (towards the book) I found it very good. Colin Firth (apart from being an absolute hunk in period frocks is also fantastic-though he smiles too much for such a tragic character) is much more down-to-earth and handsome than -otherwise great actor- John Malcovitch. Colin is brooding, John is SCARY. Not the person I'd trust my heart or body to. Glenn Glose is a lot more scary - Anette Benning is fantastic because she is bad, she is sexy,and can be even good sometimes. Glose is bad, bad, and scary. Not to mention that ravishing - and too old - Uma Thurman can't possibly persuade anyone for being innocent, pure and well, virgin. Fairuza Balk, is yet a child. Milos Forman gives the characters a depth that we don't see in DL1. The only thing I consider a good choice, was Michelle Pfeifer as the tragig widow. She is brilliant, beautiful (Meg Tilly was pretty but not as ravishing), and most of all, CAN ACT. A few years younger and next to Firth, could produce sparks. I definitely go for the Milos Forman edition. Despite the really bad ending, he gives his characters more dimensions. In DL1, the good are too good, the bad are too bad, and the people between, insignificant. Life isn't just that way.
I hope i will be able to find it in a DVD region 2 someday. Unless I buy an All-regions DVD player. (sigh).
Rating:
Summary: Delightful - Excellent cast but not good enough script
Review: I have watched both Valmont and Dangerous Liaisons DVDs and I definitely prefer Valmont. It¡¦s true that the script for Dangerous Liaisons is more complete but Valmont gives more depth to each character. In fact, every time when I watch Valmont, I like it better.Colin Firth as Valmont is charming and you¡¦ll truly believe why women fall for him even they knew he¡¦s evil. This movie is not his best performance, but he¡¦s done it beautifully and very easily, he became the centre of the movie for every frame he¡¦s in. I think Annette Bening¡¦s not good enough to play Merteuil as she laughed so much that it¡¦s a bit annoying. Still, she¡¦s delighted to look at in the movie with the wonderful costume. Cecil played by Fairuza Balk is best cast in addition to Colin Firth. She¡¦s sweet, young, and energetic and is able to convey her emotions simply with her eyes. I just love to see her. For Meg Tilly, she¡¦s sweet too but her performance becomes not profession enough when the above three actors are present. Back to the story, I have two comments to make. Firstly, it¡¦s really wrong to have two focuses in the same movie ¡V one is on the evil game between Valmont & Merteuil while another one is the grow-up of Cecil. This focus has to be the game between Valmont & Merteuil. But there is not even a line to explain the relationship between them which makes audience quite confused at the beginning if the audience didn¡¦t read the book. So, when Merteuil told Valmont she still loves him, I simply doubt it because it's not convincing. Secondly, the ending is so bad. In particular, the duel scene between Valmont and Decenary happens so suddenly and I get lost why Valmont wanted to kill himself like this. He seems lost his mind after he found out Merteuil was in bed with Dacenary. But as I just mentioned, you won't believe Valmont is so in love with Merteuil that he wants to die instead. I have also watched the big hit done by Milos Forman ¡V Amadeus. In terms of production quality, it's not worse than Amadeus. I think Valmont deserved a better rating as it¡¦s a delightful and sweet movie with specular scenary. It just came in bad timing.
Rating:
Summary: Wicked, but not evil
Review: I know that this film is based on the same material as Dangerous Liasons, but it is a completely different movie. I saw Dangerous Liasons once, and while I enjoyed it, I've never had a desire to see it again. I've seen Valmont twice, and have decided to purchase it so that I can view it whenever I want. Where Dangerous Liasons is dark, mean spirited, and somewhat over the top for my taste, Valmont is witty, sexy, and charming. There is bad behavior aplenty in Valmont, but the characters are human and appealing. They are wicked without being completely evil. As for Colin Firth, this may have been the first role I ever saw him play, but I'm honestly not sure. Since first seeing Valmont, I've watched Firth in several movies, but never recognized him as the same actor who played Valmont until recently. He is such a rascal as Valmont, compared to the stiff and somewhat repressed character he usually plays. I enjoyed all of the performances, including Benning's. Some of my most favorite movies include Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Bridget Jones' Diary. If you like those, you will probably like Valmont as well.
Rating:
Summary: It's Indeed One of the Most Magnificent Movies
Review: I've seen. I love the lush surroundings, the beautiful costumes, and the freshness of the actors/actresses in the movie. It's much less rigid and mean-spirited than its sister movie, "Dangerous Liaisons", which came out the same year as this movie. I love how the movie began with Cecile and the cloistered girls sang in a choir led by a nun and ended with Cecile getting married in a spectacularly lavish ceremony at the Royal Chapel in Versailles, then having M. de Tourvel place a cream-colored rose upon Valmont's grave as a token of her love for him before reconciliating with her husband. The real star of the movie was Cecile, played by actress Fairuza Balk. She gave a very fresh and novel approach to her character unlike Uma Thuman's, which, in my opinion, whiny and dumb. I recommend everyone to either rent or buy the video/dvd. It's so divine!
Rating:
Summary: Valmont
Review: One of the best movies I have ever seen. Colin Firth is brilliant as Valmont, and I believe his performance was very underated by the American audience--who much prefer X-Men or some such. Some compare this film to the American film Dangerous Liasisons, which as usual American films are not delicate but must hit one over the head with their point. And Malcavich (sp)in the lead as the suave, handsome, captivating Valmont is miscasting beyond belief. I first saw Valmont when it was released in 1989, it only gets better as it ages. Milos Forman is a genius.
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