Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780792853428
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0792853423
Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Region Code: 1
Release Date: September 17, 2002
Running Time: 137 minutes
Sales Rank: 10809
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Theatrical Release Date: November 17, 1989
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Editorial Review:
Description:
Based on the classic novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, this delectable thriller stars Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary) and Oscars® nominee* Annette Bening (American Beauty) as embittered aristocrats who weave a wicked web of cruel intentions and savage seductions. Directed by Oscar® winner** Milos Forman, Valmont is a darkly amusing period drama that issimply a piece of high entertainment (The Hollywood Reporter). In 18th-century France, a cruel and calculating playboy, Valmont (Firth), makes a malicious wager with the equally wicked Madame de Merteuil (Bening): Valmont must dishonor the married Madame de Tourvel (Meg Tilly) by sleepingwith her. If Valmont succeeds, he gets the privilege of Merteuil's bed as well. But when Valmont sets out on his task, the unexpected happens...he falls in love with Tourvel! And now Merteuil will stop at nothing to destroy Valmont's newfound passion. *1990: Supporting Actress, The Grifters; 1999: Actress, American Beauty *1975: Director, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; 1984: Director, Amadeus
Amazon.com:
Talk about too little, too late. A year after Stephen Frears's marvelous Dangerous Liaisons, Milos Forman released this film, based on the same material: the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Shot at the same time but held so as not to compete, it suffered by comparison. The story--about a pair of aristocrats, former lovers, who wager that the man cannot seduce a particularly chaste woman--is still awash in lust and intrigue. But, while Forman's craft was exceptional, his cast couldn't match the power of its predecessor. In particular, Colin Firth, as the game-playing title character, lacked the snaky charm of John Malkovich, and Meg Tilly couldn't compare to the tragic beauty of Michelle Pfeiffer. Annette Bening, though born to play a vixen, seemed callow and insubstantial next to the sinister depths of Glenn Close. --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - "One must always honor a bet."
This lavish retelling of Les Liaisons Dangereuses stars Annette Benning as the Marquise de Merteuil, a nasty aristocrat who delights in manipulating those around her. She is outraged when her lover makes plans to marry the young and virtuous Cecile,(who is in love with her music teacher), so she engages the services of the notorious playboy the Vicomte de Valmont to cuckold him. Before he can do it, however, Valmont falls in love with a proper, married woman, Madame de Tourvel. Learning of this, Merteuil bets Valmont that he can't bed Tourvel, and he happily takes up the challenge.
The plot was so complex that I needed a scorecard to keep straight who was doing what to whom and why. All the action swirls around Benning's Merteuil and she's malicious and flirty enough, but her American accent detracts from her character. In fact, the array of American and British accents and their 21st century delivery spoil the illusion that the story is set in 18th century France. As Valmont, Colin Firth is definite eye-candy but not nearly lecherous enough; he's boyish and pitiable instead of cunning and ruthless. Meg Tilley (Tourvel) and Henry Thomas, (the music teacher) are incredibly bland and look out of place in a period piece.
On the plus side, the Oscar-nominated costumes are breathtakingly opulent and palatial sets and locations are flawless. It's the actors that keep the movie from being really good; they're more common than genteel and I didn't believe any of them. 3.5 ... Read More
Rating:  - A warm, pleasent yet a seductive story never fails to take the viewer all the way back to its time!
Beautifull costumes and sets are usually what are found in films depicting the 18th century France. A perfect cast and moreover every single individual delivers a sattisfying performence. Brilliant performeces by Colin Firth, Annette Benning and Meg Tilly. Meg Tilly's performence is perhaps beyond words and the rest nevertheless delivers a good performence and does justice to their roles. and played their parts very well. The film takes you right back at 18th century in France. Wonderfull music and cinematography and the film is quite a contribution to make the film worth a watch.
Rating: - The Art of Seduction
Both "Valmont" and "Dangerous Liasons" are fabulous films. I personally prefer "Valmont". The casting for this film is fantastic. Colin Firth makes a much more charming and handsome `Valmont' who knows how to use the 'art of seduction' to his advantage. Annette Benning is a scheming and beautiful `de Merteuil'. The mood of this film is more feel-good, it contains more playful humour and the imagery (especially in the outdoors) is amazing. With `Dangerous Liasons'; the characters (played by Glenn Close and John Malkovich) were more sinister and less likeable (I guess it depends what mood you're in). Overall: Highly recommended.
Rating:  - Odd Interpretration of a Classic
Chadores Laclo's "Les Liaisons Dangerous" was given another go around in 1989's "Valmont." Director Stephen Frears had finished his definitive version "Dangerous Liaisons," about six months before. "Valmont" is a sumptuous film. Director Milos Forman ("Amadeus") has an eye for detail and mis en scene. As in "Amadeus," Forman likes his actors playful. The sets, costumes, lighting and architecture are wonderfully eye filling. To know that countless doves were dyed blue to be let loose an the opening scene alerts you to the degree of detail Forman adheres to. Annette Bening and Colin Firth as Merteuil and Valmont seem to be enjoying their parts. The acting by Meg Tilly, Fairuza Balk,Sian Phillips and Fabia Drake are also florid and engaging.
However, even without comparisons to Frears earlier film, "Valmont" is not a great film. Forman's version of Laclo's tale is mostly entertaining, although at 137 minutes the plot mechanisms get a little turgid after a while. The story is already known from previous adaptions and the reputation of the great novel. The romantized contrivances Forman builds into his version become cumberson because of Forman's desire to soften the edge off the main character's malice. However, to soften "Les Liaisons Dangerous" is to blunt it. This approach is like making a vampire film with the fangs pulled out, so no blood gets spilt. Roughly, what's the point? To make a sweet romance? Valmont's shenanigans will not make a hero no matter how much he apparently "repents" ... Read More
Rating: - Valmont
This version feels much more European than "Dangerous Liasons", and I prefer this cast of mostly Brits. I prefer Bening as the lead since her beauty hides her devious nature, Tilly is more convincing as a young french maiden, and Firth is more gallant and charming than Malkovich (who isn't?). Foreman's version is less darker in mood than "DL" and plays more like an authentic light 18th century comedy than Hollywood. Foreman is the master of capturing 18th century Europe (as in Amadeus)!
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