The whole thing is gorgeous: the pre-revolution France, the castles, and the clothes. Just beautiful, without the moody lighting some films employ now that put half the picture in the dark. The story is compelling with its clever war of words that just builds innuendo upon innuendo and gets better from there. Two lovers, played by Glenn Close and John Malkovich, conspire revenge against one of their exes by going after his intended; then set a wager on whether or not Malkovich can seduce the virtuous Michelle Pfeiffer.
But the movie’s strong part is the acting. These are strong, interesting characters to be sure. But the performances just rock, and make the movie. Especially leads John Malkovich and Glenn Close, who nail one verbal skirmish scene after another, and act the shit out of this thing.
Malkovich is Valmont, the not particularly handsome but rakish, lecherous cad who preys upon women and enjoys the battle (seduction) more than the victory (sex). One could bust a thesaurus trying to describe him: vile, conniving, dishonest, sexist, notorious. He’s a master at his craft, so much so that he has to set himself even more difficult challenges, such as using Michelle Pfeiffer’s own goodness against her in his seduction. Like Close, he’s never lost a battle and if he were a true military leader, you’d expect him to say something along the lines of “Sun Tzu fought like a girl.”
Glenn Close is a wealthy Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil. Words have been invented for a character like her: Wicked. Manipulative. Despicable. Sinister. She’s liberated and in control, and plays these sex/war games with Valmont to pass the time and hide the truth: they’d be the perfect couple, but would never risk it. Sex is fun and all, but love is dangerous. Her motto: “win or die.” And she means it. She would make Machiavelli her prison bitch.
As the two leads spar you realize that they really love each other, but would never be caught doing so. So they go after their marks, Keanu Reeves and Uma Thurman, dupe their friends and dance around each other. And they have a ball doing it. But despite some great humor and funny moments, this is a dark and serious tragic tale.
Like all great tragedies, it’s virtue not vice that dooms. The twisted way that Valmont uses Pfeiffer’s own nobility, virtue and the like against her to make her betray everything she believes in, is the heart of this movie. She gives in, not to a vice such as lust, but to a virtue, love. And it dooms her, and subsequently everyone else.
In my favorite moments, Glenn Close doesn’t like being replaced by Pfeiffer and forces Malkovich to make a choice, in a most cruel way. He does, but it destroys him, so when he comes to claim his prize (Close) she reneges on their deal in a spectacular way. It’s one of the best scenes ever and I cannot believe Glenn Close’s line here did not make the American Film Institute’s Top 400 Movie Quotes, because it was just awesome. One little word that I’ll not give away here. Rocked! Then there are more maneuvers and such, with Close and Malkovich trying to outflank each other until the film comes to its end.
If you hate anything that’s not overly prosaic, that’s a stylish period piece or unconventional love stories, you probably won’t like this. But if you’re open minded and enjoy intelligent drama and finely crafted performances; and miss the days when studios gambled on actors with actual talent, good scripts and smart movies rather than some of the drivel they pump out these days, you should love this.
Smells like: a fine cognac and elegant perfume.