Dangerous Liaisons

R

Released Dec 11, 1988

2h 0m

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich) display the petty jealousies and jaded insouciance of life in France's royal court in the 18th century, casually ruining the lives of de Merteuil's young romantic rival (Uma Thurman), the music teacher (Keanu Reeves) for whom she secretly pines and the upstanding Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). But when actual romantic feelings begin to surface, their games take on a more treacherous air.

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Critics Consensus

Stylish, seductive, and clever, Stephen Frears' adaptation is a wickedly entertaining exploration of sexual politics.

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

This is a first-rate piece of work by a director who’s daring and agile. The unfussiness of Frears’ approach is tonic. The movie gets at the important things and doesn’t linger over them. It’s heaven -- alive in a way that movies of classics rarely are.

Sep 12, 2023

Full Review

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

A decadent celebration of wanton cruelty.

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

This incisive study of sex as an arena for manipulative power games takes too long to catch fire and suffers from a deficient central performance.

Feb 8, 2008

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

[Puts] a handsome gloss on sordid material in a way that might not quite feel "dangerous", but is at least extremely bracing.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 12, 2022

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Cynical, fierce, and in the end desperately romantic, this is the most beautiful movie of 1988. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Hilary Mantel

The Spectator

Glenn Close copes very well with the precise, formal, waspish lines; this is a fastidious, distinguished and exciting performance.

Apr 9, 2019

Full Review

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Scott M

One of my favorite films of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/24

Full Review

Geke g

The guy came out with this idea deserves oscar

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Bahad j

This idea of the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Beautiful movie. Loved to see the classic, royal family has many obstacles and dealing with them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Jenn M

Thoughtful delve into an organization often seen as doing harm - after watching they seem very much like a non-violent grassroots organization hoping for freedom of expression.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Alec B

Hard to resist the screenplay's mean spirited wit. Glenn Close truly gives one of the great performances ever here.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

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Stephen Frears

Director

Glenn Close

Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil

John Malkovich

Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont

Michelle Pfeiffer

Madame de Tourvel

Swoosie Kurtz

Madame de Volanges

Keanu Reeves

Raphael Danceny

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Synopsis

The Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich) display the petty jealousies and jaded insouciance of life in France's royal court in the 18th century, casually ruining the lives of de Merteuil's young romantic rival (Uma Thurman), the music teacher (Keanu Reeves) for whom she secretly pines and the upstanding Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). But when actual romantic feelings begin to surface, their games take on a more treacherous air.

Director: Stephen Frears
Producer: Norma Heyman, Hank Moonjean
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts, NFH Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.7M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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