Dangerous Liaisons

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!!! Pathetic DVD!
Review: My one star rating is for the DVD ONLY not the film. Dangerous Liaisons is a classic and this is the best version of the story. Glenn Close deserved an Oscar and I was disappointed when she didn't get one. The film is in a league all its own and everyone should see it at least once. You have to see this movie.

Now for the DVD ( version ):
This was a terrible DVD release. The movie was unclear like it was on cable. I've seen movies from the seventies on DVD that were clearer than this. Where does Warner Bros ( or whoever in charge of making this DVD ) get off selling this? The film was so dark you can't see the pretty set. The Special Features Section was laughable. There was no commentary, photo gallery, deleted scenes, or interviews. This is now a classic film. The DVD had no business being so bare and cheap. Instead we get a list of Reel Recommedations and awards. So what? That doesn't mean anything if you left out the best extras! Maybe WB will come out with a Special Edition DVD for this film. Otherwise they should have left it on VHS. At least then it was clear.

Rating:
Summary: Great Potential Ruined By Mediocre Actors
Review: Stephen Frears adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuse draws the audience into the amorous intrigues of 18th century France. Although Glenn Close as Marquise De Merteuil and John Malkovich the Vicomte De Valmont deliver impeccable performances as the principal characters, the whole setting is ruined by the simply atrocious performances by Keeanu Reeves and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Reeves and Pfeiffer actually have a lot in common in that their mediocre acting skills undermine the historical setting of the film. As is typical with most method actors, Reeves and Pfeiffer are best at playing their own bland personalities without much creativity: this type of training rarely works in period films as the actor tries to incorporate the character's moods and actions into their own personality as opposed to the other way around. The typical result is that the actor fails to follow the proper idioms, mannerisms, and language of such characters. In short, neither Pfeiffer or Reeves have the tact or skill to play a historical character (This is perfectly demonstrated in Reeve's horrible performance in Coppolla's Dracula.) Typically, successful period films tend to be those who have theatrical actors (i.e. Richard Burton, Alec Guinness, Anthony Hopkins, John Lithgow, James Earl Jones, etc.)

Although I did somewhat enjoy this rendition, I preferred Milos Foreman's "Valmont" with Collin Firth and Annette Benning. The film was more faithful to the cultural sensibilities of 18th century France than Dangerous Liaisons.

Rating:
Summary: REALLY GOOD
Review: Keeping it simple... if you've ever seen the recent Cruel Intentions, its almost exactly like that. Only this is the REAL version. It's a whole lot better since it's sent back in the 1800's... i think. But it is REALLY good and I recommed it to anyone above the age of thirteen cause it'd be a bit inappropriate, but it is REALLY REALLY good and i can't seem to stress that enough.

Rating:
Summary: A Constume-Drama-Period-Piece-Chick-Flick With An Extra
Review: This is your normal ladies' soap-opera romance/drama set in The Time Of Costumes -- but Uma Thurman's contribution is noteworthy, and compensates MORE than sufficiently for a guy's time watching this. So when your wife or girl friend suggests this film, pretend to be a little reluctant, and then give in. Have a little beer or wine, then relax and wait for Uma's appearance. You can't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: There is not a finer play adaptation on film
Review: This is truly a terrific film. Straight from the pages of the play's script and expertly played by Close, Pfieffer, Malkovich, and Reeves. So well played. these actors all divinely understood their characters and it shows. The film work is top notch. This is a clean, unfettered flick. Watch and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Sinfully Delightful!
Review: "Dangerous Liaisons" is, by far, one of the best films ever made! I love everything about this movie from the story to the actors portraying the charcters. I think Glenn Close and John Malkovich were cast perfectly in their roles of scheming, manipulative aristocratic people who have nothing better to do than seek revenge and cruelly ruin people's lives.

I would definitely suggest this film to anyone! Younger people may not find this period piece very appealing, so for them I would suggest "Cruel Intentions," which is based on the same story. Anyone who wants to be immersed in an incredible tale of love, hate, deceit, cruelty, and revenge should watch this film!

Rating:
Summary: DEADLY GAME OF DECEPTION - DISAPPOINTING TRANSFER
Review: This is one of a handful of truly outstanding costume dramas. John Malkovich is the malcontent bachelor of romantic conquests, spurred on to ruin a young virgin's (Uma Thurman) hopes at a successful marriage and destroy a chaste maid's (Michelle Pfieffer) chances at happiness by a rich dowager (Glenn Close) who's promised him a chance to have an affair with her. Follow me so far? The dowager has no intent of letting the bachelor get his wish or fulfilling her promise to him. It's all just a sadistic game to her. She wants everyone to suffer.
Unfortunately it is we, the viewers, that suffer the most throughout this movie. Warner Brothers has done a dismal job on this transfer. Aside from the usual wear and tear on the original camera negative, contrast levels are way too low. Colors tend to be strained, garish or even, in some cases, bleed into one another. Edge enhancement is minimal but pixelization is everywhere and really distracts at times. The sound on this disc is also inconsistent. In some scenes there is a ringing echo around dialogue and in other instances the sound is strident, course and grating on the ears. There are no extras. All around - a very disappointing transfer.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, horrible DVD
Review: I can't get past fifteen minutes watching this DVD. It is a botched job, with dirt, soft focus ... Give me my old widescreen VHS anyday.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This film is marvellous adaptation of the novel. Many changes and liberties were made, but it would have been nearly impossible to make this work as a straight adaptation since the book is nothing but a series of letters.

Well acted, this film really captures the nastiness and excessive nature of the two antagnists played so excellently by Glenn Close and John Malkovich.
Michelle Pieffer is wonderful as the woman who helps Valmont discover true love. Lovely and tragic.
I enjoyed both Uma and Keeanu as the young pawns/lovers but I felt they were both too old to play the characters. Uma seemed much to mature to be 15 year old Cecille.
A earlier review mentions the film Valmont as a remake of this film, that is incorrect. Both films were made during the exact same year, unfortunatly Milos Forman waited an extra year to release his somewhat weaker version so it feels like it is a pale imitation of this version. Neither film had anything to do with the other except they used the same novel as their basis.
Cruel Intentions however is a blatent modern day remake and is actualy quiet good with Reece Witherspoon(Pleasantville, Sweet Home Alabama), Sarah Michelle Geller(Buffy the Vampire Slayer-TV), Ryan Phillipe and others. It is well acted and it is quite interesting to see the interpritations of the same events from DL in the 20th century.

Rating:
Summary: Dangerous Liaisons Movie Review
Review: This movie has just entered itself into my list of the few movies that i call my favourites. The onscreen passion and sexual tension is electric. Casting couldnt have been more appropriate and John Malcovich is supurb! If you liked Cruel Intensions and have never seen this-it is a must. It houses the same satirical humour and witty script and is good value entertainment