Adapted for stage and screen several times over the past century, French author Francois Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liasons Dangeureuses was the basis for this Academy Award-winning Stephen Frears film. The plot is motivated by a cruel wager between the beautiful but debauched Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and her misogynistic former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovitch). The Marquise challenges Valmont to seduce the virginal Cecile de Volanges (Uma Thurman) before the girl can be wed. Valmont offers a more difficult counter-challenge: He bets the Marquise that he will be able to bed the very moral and very married Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). In the course of carrying out his plan, Valmont is stricken with a sudden case of honor and remorse, while the Marquise becomes all the more vicious. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
While the film definitely earned its R rating, of the many adaptations of the story of Valmont, this is by far the best! The acting is incredible, particularly that of Malkovich and Close. It's filmed gorgeously and put together very well, without the usual lulls that period dramas can have. Definitely worth watching!
My mother watches time movies all the time and I dislike most of the romantic ones but I sat down and gave it a chance when I seen John Malkovich on the screen. I ended up loving the deceit, corrupt, and evilness the two main characters play with others and EACHOTHERS minds. The only reason I gave it 4.5 stars is at times the acting seemed not believable but the plot is good enough to look over it.