Dangerous Liaisons: A 18th Century Study Of The War Between The Sexes

Composition 2

Dangerous Liaisons:
A 18th Century Study of the War between the Sexes One of my top ten movies is Dangerous Liaisons, a screenplay directed by
Stephen Frears. The two leading actors in the film are Glenn Close as the Marquise de Merteuil and John Malkovich as the Vicomte de Valmont. The reason that this movie is one of my favorites is because it depicts the competition, or war, between the sexes. Although the setting of the movie is in the 18th century, the intent of the plot can be as current today. It does use the restrictive life of women in that time period, but it also shows how women could work their way around those restrictions. Essentially the conclusion of the movie proves a common theory that what goes around, comes around or evil begets evil.
The plot of this movie circles around the two main characters and the many lives they are willing to destroy in the name of revenge and competition.
The Marquise begins her machinations in retaliation against a previous lover, but ends the film trying to destroy her close companion, The Vicomte. All of her actions are based on her jealousy and her hatred of a woman’s station in life at the time. The Vicomte acts and reacts with a sense of entitlement, a true womanizer, who feels that his social standing will allow him to do whatever he pleases. He is the epitome of what the Marquise so despises in men of his station. The constant back and forth between the two, and the lengths that both are willing to go are indicative of the power play that has gone on for centuries between men and
women. I personally love movies that show a wide range of character development, either good or bad, with a lesson at the end. This movie provides that in many of the characters, but it is especially significant in the two main characters. We watch the Marquise display a virtuous persona to the public, while in private her evil side becomes apparent. She progresses through the movie in ever escalating stages of depravity until she reaches the breaking point. She is her own worst enemy and is brought to the realization once it is too late to remedy any of her actions. On the other hand, we watch the Viscomte progress from self-indulgent seducer to a man who has genuine feelings and a conscience. These characters are two sides of the same coin, so to speak, with very different endings and outcomes. The development of these characters exceeded my expectations and is the main reason that the film is one of my favorites. Beyond the beauty of the characters, the setting and scenes of the movie are spectacular. Production of the movie took place in France with many historic buildings as a backdrop. During one scene a chandelier is being lit, showing it being lowered so the footmen could reach the candles, before being raised back into place. There are no words during this scene, but the beauty it captures along with the visual of the time period is exquisite. Another scene in a convent hospital, where one of the characters is being treated with the use of blood-letting, is such a contrast between the dark and gray of the convent and its plainness, with the almost garish appointments of the residences, brings the viewer to understand the stark contrasts between good and evil, man and woman, and ultimately, right and wrong. “What happens for the viewer is mirrored in the changes in the characters. What began as a delicious amusement deepens into a tragedy.” This statement made by movie reviewer Hal Hinson of the Washington Post on January 13th, 1989, completely underscores how the movie affects the viewer emotionally. The plot, characters, setting, language and the stage play into the viewer’s experience and bring about a complete evolution in feeling. The film was nominated for seven Academy awards, winning three of those. It also found an international audience and garnered over ten more awards. It seems that this movie might be on a few top ten lists, not just my own.