I seldom write about movies I have seen once, many years ago; but Les Liaisons' cast makes it worth.
I would say this spicy '59 flick is the best thing Vadim ever directed; not so much an adaptation, but rather a variation on Laclos' theme, a light, sardonic and suspenseful treatment, in an interesting movie, the only time known to me when Vadim handled with shrewdness a subject. I have seen it some 10 yrs ago, and still remember my joy; if Laclos' novel is a sharp, elegant masterpiece, once known to the European connoisseurs of French culture, Vadim's flick is an amusement. The cast is especially delightful: Merteuil is played by Mme Moreau (--Glenn Close, Bening, Gellar, Deneuve have been other actresses to take the same role, 30—40 yrs later--); Valmont is played by Philipe, that amazing actor (--Malkovich, Firth, Everett are no true contenders --); Mme. De Tourvel has been played by more famous actresses in the subsequent adaptations (Mrs. Pfeiffer, Mrs. Tilly and Mrs. Kinski).
It seems an indecency to give Close and Malkovich roles once made by Moreau and Philipe;
I would say this spicy '59 flick is the best thing Vadim ever directed; not so much an adaptation, but rather a variation on Laclos' theme, a light, sardonic and suspenseful treatment, in an interesting movie, the only time known to me when Vadim handled with shrewdness a subject. I have seen it some 10 yrs ago, and still remember my joy; if Laclos' novel is a sharp, elegant masterpiece, once known to the European connoisseurs of French culture, Vadim's flick is an amusement. The cast is especially delightful: Merteuil is played by Mme Moreau (--Glenn Close, Bening, Gellar, Deneuve have been other actresses to take the same role, 30—40 yrs later--); Valmont is played by Philipe, that amazing actor (--Malkovich, Firth, Everett are no true contenders --); Mme. De Tourvel has been played by more famous actresses in the subsequent adaptations (Mrs. Pfeiffer, Mrs. Tilly and Mrs. Kinski).
It seems an indecency to give Close and Malkovich roles once made by Moreau and Philipe;