2008/02/23 New York
For the worse
The absence of meaning
To celebrate my birthday I went to see “Valmont” at the MOMA.
It’s hard, probably impossible to compete with John Malkovich as Vicomte de Valmont, but Colin Firth did a fairly good job.
Compared to the movie by Stephen Frears Milos Forman’s adaptation of “Dangerous Liasions” is lighter, funnier, slightly less impressive but also less obviously moralistic.
There is something refreshing about Forman’s cynicism, and insightful not to forget.
The question if men can change is answered concisely with: “Yes, for the worse.”
Forman seems to make the point that the absence of meaning (i.e. the naked game) is meaningful as well. You need something to live for, but what exactly is utterly unimportant.
And don’t forget: never get married to your lover.
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8 comments 
I agree that Stephan Frears's adaptation was moralistic in the sense that he pointed out the egocentric and destructive nature of the force of lust and pleasure, or even boredom.
There is no escape, even the 'good hearted' will become a victim.
In the middle there stand the tragic heroes Valmont and Madame the Tourvel.
This is indeed a major difference with the lightness of Valmont. The character Valmont seems to be an escape artist like Don Juan. He has similarities with other main characters in Forman's movies like Mozart and Kaufman.
Colin Firth was enjoyable, but I found the escaping in Forman's other movies more convincing.
Annette Benning was great as Madame de Merteuil. Glenn Close in Dangerous Liasons was good as a sadist, but she couldn't have played a likable slut.
The girl who played Madame the Tourvel really annoyed me.
There is no escape, even the 'good hearted' will become a victim.
In the middle there stand the tragic heroes Valmont and Madame the Tourvel.
This is indeed a major difference with the lightness of Valmont. The character Valmont seems to be an escape artist like Don Juan. He has similarities with other main characters in Forman's movies like Mozart and Kaufman.
Colin Firth was enjoyable, but I found the escaping in Forman's other movies more convincing.
Annette Benning was great as Madame de Merteuil. Glenn Close in Dangerous Liasons was good as a sadist, but she couldn't have played a likable slut.
The girl who played Madame the Tourvel really annoyed me.
What I remembered about Valmont was indeed the game, the naked game, the game stripped of all sense of humor, a deadly serious game pushed to the limits of its own consequences. Jede Konsequenz führt zum Teufel, as the Germans say.
What's the titel of the painting? Who painted it?
Zwembroek AG te koop?
Beste Arnon,Waar gaat dit in godsnaam over? Iemand verkoopt je zwembroek op Marktplaats?
http://link.marktplaats.nl/149895143
Mieke
Go to flickr, search for dangerous liaisons.I've found it. It is an adaption made after Magritte's 'Liasons dangereuses'1929.
David
I liked the Madame de Tourvel in "Valmont" -- better than the Madame de Tourvel in "Dangerous Liaisons”, also Cecile was excellent in “Valmont”.Arnon
I couldn't stand madame de Tourvel's French accent and her face.[ Add comment ]
