Dangerous Liaisons

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Dangerous Liaisons

R

1988

2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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

The 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

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

A decadent celebration of wanton cruelty.

Dec 7, 2022

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Ray B.

“ 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+

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

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Horror fan 4

This was a great movie filled with brilliant performances. Malcovich and Glenn were paired perfectly together. A jaw dropping ending. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/25

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Fernando D

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

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Vanilla P

I love this film so much! Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

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Faith B

This is a horror film. The more I watched and witnessed the soulless and depraved scheming of Merteuil and Valmont, the more frightened I became. The confrontational war scene between the two made my blood run cold. A wonderful film, beautifully made, and a horrifying study of people who can’t be saved or redeemed by love.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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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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92%

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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: 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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