Valmont works better as a story, and all of the characters are more believable. I love Dangerous Liaisons, but Valmont is the better movie.
(And oh my GOD, the costumes. The pink satin riding habit!)
This here's a recipe for unpleasantness.
Mal ,'Objects In Space'
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Atropa - Mar 23, 2010 5:03:53 pm PDT #7350 of 30000
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
DavidS - Mar 23, 2010 5:27:36 pm PDT #7351 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
The pink satin riding habit!
Oh, was that the deciding vote?
I'd give a slight edge to Glenn over Annette, but it's not a big difference and Annette is very, very good. And while I love Malkovich's intensity, Firth is a bit more credible. Henry Thomas and Meg Tilly and Fairuza v. Keeanu and Uma and Michelle...I mean, there really aren't any bad performances here. But Valmont does work beautifully. It's just a wee bit more human, though a little less hard edged in its brilliance.
DavidS - Mar 23, 2010 5:29:06 pm PDT #7352 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
And while I love Malkovich's intensity, Firth is a bit more credible.
And let us pause here to suffer profound envy of Scrappy who saw Alan Rickman (in his youth) on Broadway as Valmont.
Cashmere - Mar 23, 2010 5:33:22 pm PDT #7353 of 30000
Now tagless for your comfort.
I just can't buy Uma as a 14 year old. All of her scenes irked me. I like Close better as Merteuil and Firth as Valmont.
I liked Fabia Drake as the aunt better in Valmont.
Atropa - Mar 23, 2010 5:33:32 pm PDT #7354 of 30000
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
No, the pink satin riding habit was NOT the deciding vote. (But whoo, is it pretty.)
And let us pause here to suffer profound envy of Scrappy who saw Alan Rickman (in his youth) on Broadway as Valmont.
turns a delicate shade of green
I'd give a slight edge to Glenn over Annette, but it's not a big difference and Annette is very, very good.
Flip the names and you have my vote. But I'm planning on watching Dangerous Liaisons next. (I'm on a big costume movie binge right now.)
(Which is different from my other costume movie binges. Shush.)
Amy - Mar 23, 2010 5:37:54 pm PDT #7355 of 30000
Because books.
I actually bought Liaisons not long ago, because I love to look at it as much as the story, and it struck me it was something I should own.
The last scene with Close is so chilling and sad and *right*.
Atropa - Mar 23, 2010 5:39:33 pm PDT #7356 of 30000
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
The last scene with Close is so chilling and sad and *right*.
Oooh, yes.
DavidS - Mar 23, 2010 5:40:49 pm PDT #7357 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
The last scene with Close is so chilling and sad and *right*.
So shattered, and it's that scene that makes me give her the edge.
Really it's a fascinating exercise in narrative choices because I think Valmont plays better throughout, but that scene pays off with a bigger emotional bolt.
Atropa - Mar 23, 2010 5:44:36 pm PDT #7358 of 30000
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
I think Valmont plays better throughout, but that scene pays off with a bigger emotional bolt.
This is true. I still very slightly prefer Valmont, but nothing in it comes close to the emotional shock of the final scene of Liaisons.
Jessica - Mar 23, 2010 5:58:34 pm PDT #7359 of 30000
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I must interrupt briefly to say that Hot Tub Time Machine *completely* lives up to its title.
(Yes, that's a good thing. It's exactly the movie it promises to be.)