As a fan of the insane, cruel, insightful, potentially featuring under age sex is originally a book ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ by de Laclos written just before France was punished for the worst of its terrible excesses. This book is about those excesses. The films, one that stars a youngish Colin Firth and the other John Malkovich – take your pick of who you would rather be seduced by (I am pretty sure which one most women would choose and most men too!) Anyway the choice between the famed Oscar winning Dangerous Liaisons and its less known Valmont doesn’t come down to casting. In fact it comes down to costumes, one can immediately tell that although Valmont is accurately casted (the characters are the realistic age – as much as Glenn Close is amazing, the bitchy callous Marquise de Merteuil is at most in her thirties. I am all for fighting for decent roles in Hollywood for the older actress but there is a line.) One can immediately spot the difference because as well cast as Valmont is, and as age accurate as it (Firth actually seduces a 14 year-old, icky yes, but truthful to the book yes. Whereas as sweet as Uma Thurman is, she cannot pass for 14.) The really obvious details, comes down to money. Dangerous Liaisons is clearly well funded, and the beautiful sets and costumes speak of this. Whereas Valmont its embarrassed follower comes a sad second since it cannot afford to compete. The ending of both is also vastly different.
It is hard to compare. Obviously I love Glenn Close whereas Annette Benning often annoys me. Firth is just more believer as a seducer, and its hard to believe Malkovick when he tries it on with Michele Phiffer because it actually looks like he might murder her, rather than kiss her. Valmont doesn’t star Keanu Reeves (a definite plus). I cannot actually decide which one I prefer, I think they are both very interesting, equally as flawed in different ways… but really enjoyable nevertheless.
My recommendation watch them both and see what a difference money can make… and how undervalue a poor production can be.
Actually, Dangerous Liaisons only cost 14 million to make and Valmont cost roughly 31 million to make.
ReplyDeleteA good film is not made by throwing money at it, but needs all of the components. A solid script, direction, actors and vision. Dangerous Liaisons is defined by it's darkness. Valmont is whimsy and comical in its approach to its sexual hypocrisy.