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| I watched a re-run of Valmont on TV last week- you know, the alternative "Dangerous Liasons". So dumb question #1 - does anybody know why two versons of the same story were released as two different movies almost at the same time? And two: what the HECK was the motivation for Annette Benning's character?
I love to watch this old movie anyway, just to see the light glinting off all those satin costumes. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Scarlett, both films were made simultaneously, but Dangerous Liasons was the first to finish. The original story 'Les Liasons Dangerouse' [Did I spell that right?] is long out of copyright. So DL made it to the Oscars and the title was changed to 'Valmont' to avoid confusion. I think the release was delayed too. I think 'Valmont' is the better film of the two. It didn't chicken out in that the Urma Thurman character was naive but she was physically mature and the character in Valmont was a child which was horrifying. The motive was purely a bet between AB's character and Valmont who had been lovers, as to whether he could seduce the child and the innocent widow. They were playing with the lives of innocents as a contest, almost as a whim. I understand the story is an allegory of the corruption of the pre-revolutionary French Court. Given John Malkovitch is not really a hunk, I found it a stretch that he could be irresistible, but Colin Firth was gorgeous, so there is the allegory - AB and CF, physically beautiful, morally bankrupt. I found the end infinitely more disturbing. There's the suggestion that the Henry Thomas character will grow into another Valmont - unless the Revolution gets him first. |
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| I really enjoyed Dangerous Liasons at the theater when it first came out. I saw Valmont years later and wasn't as moved by it, but I have a feeling I may appreciate it more now. Kate, I differ in opinion on John Malkovich in DL. Although I normally find him rather unpleasant to look at, I thought in DL he was very mesmerizing. I found myself strangely attracted to him. I thought he was more than able to capture the charm and sex appeal that was needed for his character. He was able to seduce with his mind, and that goes so much deeper into this story of seduction, IMHO. And, Scarlett, not that I'm recommending it, but I believe the movie "Cruel Intentions" (1999) was also based on the same novel. |
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- Posted by Scarlett2001 (My Page) on Wed, May 11, 05 at 20:06
| NOW I see- it's an allegory. Perhaps for our own time as well? Ever since I saw John Malkovich in Dr. Jekyl, he seems sinister to me in all movies. |
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| Exactly. The story was originally a novel by Choderlos-de Laclos b.1741.d.1803. so he would have been around 50 at the time of the Revolution. He was a career officer in Napoleon's army. I think he used the story as an allegory on a corrupt society. carla, I can see what you mean, but I still find Valmont a much darker film because the young victims were children. |
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| Sorry, I expressed that badly, the young girl was 15 but she looked much more vulnerable than Uma Thurman. There's a scene in Valmont, where he pretends he's drowning expecting to be rescued but it doesn't happen. V. starts to swim, but his face switches from fear and panic to a frustrated vicious rage, a real eye opener about his character. |
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