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Dangerous Liaisons

Play trailer Poster for Dangerous Liaisons R 1988 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons

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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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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/12/2023
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. Go to Full Review Jay Scott Globe and Mail 12/07/2022
A decadent celebration of wanton cruelty. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 02/08/2008
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. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending 09/12/2022
4/5
[Puts] a handsome gloss on sordid material in a way that might not quite feel "dangerous", but is at least extremely bracing. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 06/14/2022
Cynical, fierce, and in the end desperately romantic, this is the most beautiful movie of 1988. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Hilary Mantel The Spectator 04/09/2019
Glenn Close copes very well with the precise, formal, waspish lines; this is a fastidious, distinguished and exciting performance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ann W @Doxiegirl Dec 11 A flawed movie but will stay with you. Every time I watch it, I feel like scenes are missing in the very important relationship between John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. I feel like their relationship needed a few more scenes for the viewer to really connect to it. I cannot believe Pfeiffer’s character falling for him when he is so sleazy. Yes, she is supposed to be naive, but Malkovich is just not a convincing romantic lead, however, he does a fine job in the latter part of the movie. Glenn Close is exceptional. Art direction is great. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Dec 8 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Ray B. @RayBrennanFilmmaker Nov 17 “ When it comes to marriage one man is as good as the next,” were wise words once uttered. Jan Malkovich’s performance leaves little to be desired, for a classic timeless work of art endures always. The parallels between Rushmore and Vertigo can not be mistaken. Perhaps no greater words have ever been uttered than when Madeline speaks through the ages. The inimitable Kim Novak seems to have awoken in this flic. A+ See more Nov 14 I first saw this movie in a humanities class at FSU in 1991, and watching it this evening m is no less captivating. Beautiful, vicious, poignant, and painful - one of my all-time favourite movies. See more Horror fan 4 Nov 13 This was a great movie filled with brilliant performances. Malcovich and Glenn were paired perfectly together. A jaw dropping ending. Tim Treakle See more Fernando D @Maqroll Aug 5 how many movies con you find with this amazing cast? and it is no less than a great movie with unexpected end. A must see. Glenn Close and Malkovich are the best thriller and erotism to enjoy. See more Read all reviews
Dangerous Liaisons

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Cast & Crew

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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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Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Dangerous Liaisons (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

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
NFH Productions, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
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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