Gefährliche Liebschaften (1988)

Gefährliche Liebschaften: Directed by Stephen Frears. With Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz. A scheming widow and her manipulative ex-lover make a bet regarding the corruption of a recently married woman.

“You wouldnu0026#39;t necessarily think that an adaptation of an albeit famous 17th century French novel would make a relevant and fascinating piece of cinema… but it does.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe first thing that strikes you is how well the film is lit and shot. The period locations and costumes are visually sumptuous and perfect. Better yet, the acting entirely matches the skill of the direction that takes its method from the theatre – emotions are conveyed by expression and not dialogue. Glenn Close gives her best performance on celluloid as the scheming Madame de Merteuil, amorally hellbent on bending everyone to her will, no matter the method or the cost, and John Malkovitch is her perfect foil as the cynical hedonistic but world-weary Valmont. Michelle Pfeiffer engages our empathy as the tortured and manipulated target of Malkovitchu0026#39;s desire and Closeu0026#39;s plotting.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film is basically a morality tale, but one that fascinates in its exposure of ego, vanity, intrigue and the war between the genders, subjects that are timeless in their relevance, despite the period setting. The storyline, which sticks faithfully to the original novel, remains compelling throughout as we watch deceits within deceits take their tragic course. Whole-heartedly recommended – take your time over it, and enjoy.”