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Spoiler alert! There are good reasons why this is a restricted (rated R) film, and as a Christian, I must say that there are things one might wish to fast-forward past while watching. However, despite the inevitable sexual immorality of this story, it still qualifies in my mind as a great morality tale about what becomes of the following situations: (1) a situation in which certain aristocrats, endowed with many material blessings, spend more time playing games of social intrigue and manipulation instead of helping those who are less fortunate; (2) the bitterness and anger that ensues when a woman such as the Marquise de Merteuil, played marvellously by Glenn Close, is trapped in a life of emotional and intellectual oppression; (3) the problems caused by arranged marriages in this particular social setting and time period; (4) when a man, the Vicomte de Valmont, rejects his strong Catholic upbringing and chooses to become a libertine; also the burning question of whether or not he is capable of finding redemption; (5) how the actions of wicked people affect the innocent around them, especially the
extent to which the innocent choose to accept or reject the deceptions they encounter. The fourth situation is very well explored in this film, although, in the highest irony, Valmont's step towards redemption occurs in the midst of one of his typical affairs. Whether he is merely sorry for the hurt he caused, or truly repentant, remains a question at the end of the film.
While the Marquise finally reaps what she has sown, I agree with another reviewer who viewed her with compassion because she was a
product of the oppression of her time. Actually, I think that she is a product of her response to her time, not of the time itself. Everything
that happens to her is ultimately brought about by her rage at the disappointments in her own life.
I found myself most disturbed by what Valmont and the Marquise did to Cécile de Volanges, the young débutante and social newbie in
the film, played wonderfully by Uma Thurman. It is interesting to compare this film with another version of this same story, the 1989 film
"Valmont" with Faruza Balk as Cécile and the inestimable Colin Firth as Valmont. In the film "Valmont," Cécile has a little more strength of character, and she learns more from what happens to her. It's worth noting that in the original short story, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses,"
Cécile is traumatised for life by the events that befall her, and seeks refuge in her faith. She returns to the convent where she was schooled and becomes a nun. It's also worth noting that Cécile's surname, Volanges, literally means "flight of the angels" in French.
All of the principals in the film do a splendid job, especially Michelle Pfeiffer as the much misled and wronged Madame de Tourvel who, while a victim of Valmont, also bears responsibility for her own choices. Again, it is interesting to compare Pfeiffer's performance to the performance of Meg Tilly in the same role in the film "Valmont."
Many people criticise Keanu Reeves for a wooden performance, but one has to consider that this was still relatively early in his career as an actor. Also, his character lends itself to being wooden: he is the virtuous, brave and ingenuous lover, an average Joe among aristocrats with the old-fashioned, Dartagnan-like sense of honour. He had to be played with a certain amount of boyish innocence and naiveté, and I think that Reeves delivers this well enough, and he manages to do it without being insufferably maudlin. An actor could easily overdo the innocence in this part to the point of making the audience sick to their stomachs. Reeves doesn't do that.
The art direction, costumes and score of this film are excellent, especially the musical score.
There is one more thing I might mention. It is a temptation to view this sort of film as a commentary on typical French aristocratic behaviour before the French Revolution. I advise all who read the book or see this film (or the film "Valmont," for that matter), to remember
that the original short story was a piece of propaganda against the ancien régime, written seven years before the Revolution. There were just as many French aristocrats who truly cared about the peasants working their estates, and who used their resources to help the poor. Granted, the aristocrats who gathered at Versailles and in Paris could be very out of touch with the working man's condition. But there were also just as many who were not out of touch at all. Many of them were too busy keeping their estates going to get involved in the sorts of intrigues depicted in this story. Also, libertines such as the Vicomte de Valmont have been found in all classes of society since the
beginning of time. I encountered men like him in college! Also, angry, bitter women like the Marquise de Merteuil can also be found in all
classes of society. A lack of choice in one's marital life and restrictions on one's intellect and behaviour can make anyone angry and bitter. So, I caution anyone who wants to view this as a true portrayal of aristocrats and upper class people.
I recommend this film, but watch it when you've had some life experience. The R rating is correct: it's not for teens. Also, watch it with moral and historical discernment.
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