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Plot

Adapted for stage and screen several times over the past century, French author Francois Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liasons Dangeureuses was the basis for this Academy Award-winning Stephen Frears film. The plot is motivated by a cruel wager between the beautiful but debauched Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and her misogynistic former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovitch). The Marquise challenges Valmont to seduce the virginal Cecile de Volanges (Uma Thurman) before the girl can be wed. Valmont offers a more difficult counter-challenge: He bets the Marquise that he will be able to bed the very moral and very married Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). In the course of carrying out his plan, Valmont is stricken with a sudden case of honor and remorse, while the Marquise becomes all the more vicious.
MPAA Rating:
R
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
120min.
Theatrical Release Date:
01/05/2003
DVD Release Date:
10/29/1997
Status:
In Theaters
Distributor(s):
Warner Brothers
Director(s):
Stephen Frears
Starring:
Stuart Whitman , Glenn Close , Sarah Miles , John Malkovich , James Fox
Themes:
Innocence Lost,Romantic Betrayal,Infidelity,Love Triangles,Mind Games
Tone:
Literate,Passionate,Lavish,Racy,Biting,Decadent
Keywords:
Casanova,decadence,extramarital-affair,love,marriage,sex,wager
Country of Origin:
USA (12-21-1988)
Language:
English