LIFE IS FULL OF 'EM : "DANGEROUS LIAISONS"

Love… Even the laws of thermodynamics don’t come close to its level of complexity… Most of the time the “problem” is that this field is ruled mainly by emotions. Thus the reaction of the person before us is ruled by the heart and impossible to foresee. Not however, that I said “most of the time”. There are also many instances that ploys and techniques are used to “reach our end”. We seek to manipulate the heart. It usually ends us manipulating us in the end. And this, my dears, is “the game”, “ the dating scene”… This has been like this pretty much for all times; however it wasn’t always openly voiced. This is why, when back in late 18th century France the novel “Liasons Dangereuses” was published it was an absolute scandal. People talked about it, read it and although they seemed to very much disapprove it reached immortality and is known even today. You may not know it through the book itself, not necessarily, there is a famous play, adaptations galore… But out of all the adaptations to the big screen, perhaps none are so successful or famous as this one. John Malkovitch, Michelle Pfifer, Glenn Close and Uma Thurman join ranks with director Stephen Frears to bring this little scandal right to your living rooms…
The Marquise (Glenn Close) is a rich widow. She has the arts of ruling men down to a “t”. She can have anyone she wants and still keep her good name. Her closest associate is Valmont (John Malkovich) a known rake everybody is scandalized by but who everyone receives – in their houses and otherwise. One day, a dangerous bet springs up between the two allies. Valmont must seduce a young newlywed known for her honesty and piousness, not only that, but he most obtain written proof of his conquest. Success means a night with the Marquise. But then again, as I said, hearts are tricky. And in the case of Valmont they will come into play when he least expects it upsetting all his plans. Add to that the unfortunates who get swept up in the wake of the unprincipled couple and you have… Well…
This is a brilliant film to watch on many levels. So much so that I am rather disappointed the actors didn't get awards in that year's Oscars; Best Art Direction, Set Decoration and Writing is fine but it gives the impression its another good period drama. I reckon its more than that... Think about it... Glenn Close and John Malkovich’s acting. The cold calculated moves mixed with the emotion. And the story that could just as well be set in today’s society. (I think the story actually has been set in the 20th century in one of its’ adaptations – I watched a bit of it if I remember rightly, nowhere near as good… ) I mean the film is extraordinary to watch, if only just to think that this story was written not in our days and adapted to the supposed values of the 18th century but written actually in the 18th century (1792 to be precise) by people who actually had the said values… It just goes to show, some things really never change… And now, don’t you pretend to be scandalized by all of this. This no more or less than that soap opera you love so much – you know what I’m talking about, right? It’s just set in period costumes and with a very cunning plotline… A bit of emotion thrown in too… Go on… You know you want to…