Rating: 
Summary: Subtle and beautiful study in human nature
Review: This is the same story most people saw as "Dangerous Liasons"-- but this version doesn't force the story into the shape of a morality play, as DL does. The characters are allowed to be complex and likable, and their evil and selfish compulsions are made understandable. This doesn't excuse their behavior, but NONE of the characters are without psychological baggage or their own unique psychological issues, which are beautifully and empathetically portrayed.If you've seen DL, please see Valmont-- you'll be amazed at how different it is, and how much subtle meaning was left out of DL. If you haven't seen DL, see this one instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved it
Review: I loved this DVD. I remember seeing this movie on AMC a while ago and I really liked it. I actually like Valmont more than Dangerous Liaisons. The casting was better. I didn't like John Malkovich and Glenn Close. I liked Colin Firth and Annette Bening because they were more believable. The soundtrack is so pretty, it is a shame they didn't release it.
Rating: 
Summary: use your trash can
Review: I'm a Jane Austin fan so when I read the reveiw that rated this film so highly, I thought I would enjoy it. While I enjoyed the costumes I find the story is trash and, instead of giving the dvd it away, threw it away. It's not "R" rated but it should be T for trash. The seduction of the 15 year old is very poorly done - putting it mildly.
Rating:
Summary: poor adaptation
Review: This is a poor adaptation of the original book 'Les Dangereuses Liaisons' - it is based loosely on the original story, but all the important bits are missing, so it doesn't explain any of the motives behind what is happening. Much better to watch 'Dangerous Liaisons 1988' or 'Cruel Intentions' - a great modernisation of the story, or better still, read the book
Rating:
Summary: A Symphony of Malice in Masquerade
Review: "Valmont" (a costume drama set in pre-revolution aristocratic France) has passed the test of time and now stands supreme in any comparison with any other movies inspired by Choderlos de Laclos' novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". Please MGM, as welcome as this very good quality DVD is, a remastered DVD with some imformative extras next time! For the fortunate uninitiated who still have this deliciously dark tale to view, "Valmont" has a simple enough story: Gercourt (the primal but possibly NOT the consummate schemer and betrayer of this story) ends his love affair with Madame de Merteuil. Madame de Merteuil learns why (and also the extent of time over which this breakup was PLANNED to happen) and smilingly decides upon vengeance. First, she enlists the "consummate master of the art of seduction" Valmont; then, she betrays her position as social custodian of the "so innocent, so unprepared" Cécile. Cécile has been kept in a convent/nunnery since the age of 11 until of an age to be married to ... guess whom? Yes! Gercourt (who "seems obsessed by Cécile's purity and virginity"). Madame de Merteuil's basic revenge for Gercourt is, as she informs Valmont, "I want to make him the laughing stock of Paris!" However, the revenge story is given almost psychopathic dimensions of malice once Madame de Merteuil and Valmont turn on each other! All this vengeance can be viewed against a backdrop that offers not only betrayed love, passionate romantic love, and blind youthful easily-abused love but, also, the full tragedy of unrecognized love! The actors are great and grow more into character with each viewing but something more must be said about the radiance of Fabia Drake as Madame de Rosemonde! Cinema seldom offers such exquisite dignity, grandeur, and perfection of posture, expression and spoken script! She alone is worth the DVD admission price; yet, the same can be said of each actor/actress in the "Valmont" cast! Nonetheless, something more still needs to be said about Fabia Drake! She performs with some inexpressible artistic glory that, once seen, can actually be totally loved (yes, loved!) rather than simply admired in overwhelmed and entranced silence! Anyhow, to move on ... everyone in the excellent cast seems perfectly tuned, psychologically and emotionally, by Milos Forman, the director. Forman ensures every nuance of innocence collides and dances with every subtlety of malice until all conflict can only be resolved in the embrace of a greater drama and eventual tragedy/victory. The sheer mix in "Valmont" of patience, mystery, mastery, manipulation, humor, sadism, exhilaration, and despair; yet, such charm and civility too! Truly a dark emotional symphony by Milos Forman who received an Oscar for his direction of Amadeus. Arguably, he deserved equal or greater recognition for "Valmont" because he achieved so much more emotionally and psychologically with these characters. Who knows, though, perhaps Mozart's symphonic genius helped him find the tonal genius to orchestrate this charming and magnificent masquerade of vengeful malice! Great!
Rating:
Summary: Sumptuous movie
Review: This is a Beautiful film. Very well done and most entertaining. I saw this movie in the theatre when it was first released in late 1989, and to this day I very clearly remember that I was downright angry when I walked out of the movie theatre - all because of the story. I was incredulous; how could they kill off the handsome leading male character who, when you got right down to it, was really a good man! [how amazing for a movie to elict such a strong emotion! - obviously I was not familiar with the story prior to seeing the movie.] "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Choderlos de Laclos is a story about selfish, manipulative, bored aristocrats. It is also a story about love. This film adaptation is beautifully filmed with lavish sets and gorgeous costumes. Colin Firth, Annette Bening, and Meg Tilly are fantastic. Their performances are graceful, elegant and very subtle. In regards to the DVD specifically, it has only the usual basic DVD features, there are no 'extras' such as director commentary, etc. The color and sound quality are excellent. The only negative comment I have regarding the DVD itself has to do with a missing scene, which is on the VHS tape and was shown in the theatrical release. The scene referred to takes place toward the end of the film where Valmont sneaks into Mdme. de Tourvel's home, slips past her husband and leaves a bouquet of flowers on her bed. Without a word spoken, so much is communicated about Valmont's character to the movie's audience. Its ashame this scene was not included. Note to whomever made this DVD: Did you think its absence wouldn't be noticed? Why would you cut out scenes that were in the original movie, when there is plenty of physical space on the DVD disk itself?
Rating:
Summary: It's a winner
Review: I love this movie. I recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: SNAIL MALE ............
Review: THIS one reeks of delicious intrigue, deception, vengeance - all of those delightful human emotions - lurking just, just under the surface. Unlike the 'other' movie - [equally stellar but more 'theatrical']; the Forman version seeps along like a grand old saga - somewhat along the lines of the delicious 1930 period pieces from MGM. Colin Firth makes a suitably dashing lead, Annette Bening is very fetching as the 'Manipulator'; Meg Tilly -fragile and so so vunerable, but it's really the tragic dimension of the child-like pawns - Cecile [Fairuza Balk - stunning!] and Danceny [Henry Thomas - light-years from "E.T."] that impress and unlike the other versions quick conclusion - this one has just that added 'something' to surprise even the staid old groom 'Gercourt' - Jeffrey Jones ["Lolita" somewhat reimagined].. A Great Dark Comedy of Manners and thwarted love and lust! Superior Art Direction and Costume Deign and quite a worthy double bill to the equally shunned "Affair of the Necklace" and possibly "Quills" - a great fest for the "Period Lover".
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. Fortunately, this film is now scheduled for release on DVD and might get the attention it truly deserves. If ever a film could exploit the brilliance of DVD technology, this one will.
Rating:
Summary: One must always honor her bet.
Review: One of my all time favorite Colin Firth fixes. The smiles, the dimples, the EYES. This is a must own. I will have to buy the dvd when it is released due to the fact that I have worn out the tape. I only wish they had done a sequel, a Valmont 2...sigh. Just think, CF could play the son born to Cecille and continue on the tradition.Finally, my dvd is here!!! The missing scene is most distressing and I would like an explanation as to why it was deleted off the dvd. Otherwise, the dvd is more beautiful and lush than my vhs, but it was probably wore out. I love the trailer to this movie as an extra, it should be released in theatres again, I feel it would do v.v. good.
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