Valmont | | Cast : | Colin Firth, Annette Bening | | Director : | Milos Forman | | Studio : | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | November 17, 1989 | | DVD Released Date : | September 07, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 10, 2005 | | Summary | Two takes on the very same story. This one is weaker. | Content
 | The two movies, `Dangerous Liaisons' directed by Stephen Frears and `Valmont', directed by Milos Forman are a real anomoly in that they were released at almost exactly the same time and tell almost exactly the same story, based on an old novel, `Les Liaisons Dangeruese' by Choderlos de Laclos. It is a minor tragedy that `Valmont' received so much less attention and promotion than `Dangerous Laisons'. I suspect that had a lot to do with the fact that `Valmont' was released by the company Orion which may have been in its last throes of survival and simply did not have the means to promote the film.
The only bright side of this situation is that the `Dangerous Liaisons' implementation of this story is much better. It is a sign of the value of `...Liaisons' that it is much better than a really worthy movie.
I believe the difference in the quality of the two movies lies directly on the aptness of the casting and the quality of the acting. On all the lesser qualities which go into making a movie such as set decoration, cinematography, editing, music and the like, the two films are easily on equal terms.
The heart of the matter is in the comparison of `...Liaisons' casting of Glenn Close and John Malkovich in the principle roles versus `Valmont's casting Colin Firth and Annette Bening. While Firth is physically much more believable as a Casanova type, Close and Malkovich are far superior than Bening and Firth at playing world class scoundrels. At the secondary level, `...Liaisons' casting of Uma Thurmen and Keanu Reeves as the two young innocent lovers is immensely more satisfying than the `Valmont casting of unknowns Fairuza Balk and Henry Jones. My memory of their relative careers is a bit dim, but this movie is ample evidence of why Uma and Keanu are big stars today and Fairuza and Henry are footnotes to cinema history.
Of the fifth major role, we have `...Liaisons' casting Michelle Pfeiffer versus `Valmont's casting Meg Tilly. This may be the only role where the two movies are close. Tilly gives a great performance as a naïve young wife who ultimately gives into Valmont's seductions, but I think Pfeiffer is even better. Here, the difference may have been in the writing, as I suspect Pfeiffer's role is just a bit more strongly written, so Michele had more to work with.
If nothing else convinces you, compare the seduction scenes between Malkovich and Thurmen versus Firth and Balk and the mix of sweetness with darkness in the former versus the pure soft core porn of the latter will carry the day.
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| Rating | | | Date | July 19, 2005 | | Summary | Excellent directing and brilliant cast | Content
| Following the success of Dangerous Liasons, this version of the same book made by Milos Forman was underservedly overlooked. Forman has done an excellent job at re-interpreting the story, and performances by Colin Firth and Annette Benning are stunning. One should not expect a re-write of Malcovich / Close story, this is a very different and equally brilliant movie, a lot softer and more refined. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 20, 2005 | | Summary | This is great! Why didn't I see it sooner? | Content
| This is a terrific version of the same story that sparked the Hollywood film "Dangerous Liaisons." I still remember when "Valmont" was being shown at the Fine Arts Theater in Chicago and I skipped it because I thought I had already seen it all (in DL). Wrong! I loved this film and I agree with what a lot of the other reviewers mentioned. It makes much more sense for the attractive Colin Firth and Anette Bening to be so successful in the art of seduction, rather than Malkovich and Close. Valmont seemed a much more sympathetic character in this film--he just can't help himself. He loves life and especially women and the only one he really wants to hurt is ex-lover Bening because she wants revenge for past deeds. Malkovich did a great job but he just seemed plain evil, rather than sexual. And do I even have to mention that Colin is just so much better to look at? He's about 29 in this film and gorgeous as the day is long. I liked that each actor kept their own accents (as they did in Amadeus, another Milos Forman film)because it seemed more true. The scenery, costumes and sets are stunning and they suck you into the drama. Loved it! Don't miss this one, especially if you like Colin Firth. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 27, 2005 | | Summary | True to its French Roots | Content
| 'Valmont' is the better rendition of the this romantic farce. Foreman deftly handles the intrigues of the rich and bored. His direction maintains the air of farcical schemes gone awry without sullying the innocence and dignity of the targeted parties (Cecile and Madame de Tourvel). The more commercial 'Dangerous Liaisons', steeped in American puritanical sensibilities, is a heavy-handed morality play -- one can almost see the judgmental "finger-wagging" throughout the denouement and conclusion. By contrast, 'Valmont' is a refreshing humorous romp. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 02, 2004 | | Summary | A Close Call With Dangerous Liaisons | Content
| I found this adaptation by Milos Forman to be better acted in some of the roles than the earlier release of Dangerous Liasons. Colin Firth as Valmont seemed more to be the type of Don Giovanni aristocrat of that period than John Malkovich's sinister rendition. Michell Pfeiffer simply failed to deliver a credible performance as an 18th century demoiselle; like many other method actors, she can only play herself. In that respect, Meg Tilly was more convincing as the innocent victim of Valmont's scheme. I did like Glenn Close more than Annette Bening as the wicked vixen but, overall, Valmont more closely represented the mannerisms and culture of 18th century France than Dangerous Liaisons. |
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