I am rather surprised that the current generation seems yet to discover this highly readable, once scandalous, and still fascinating classic of seduction, manipulation, and decadence in pre-revolutionary France.
Back in 1989 it was made into two competing movies: Dangerous Liaisons with Michelle Pfeiffer, Glenn Close, and John Malkovich and Valmont with Colin Firth, Meg Tilly, and Annette Benning. It seems overdue for a big budget miniseries. When an aristocratic widow bets her equally aristocratic lover that he can’t seduce a very virtuous young woman the game is on.
Told entirely through letters, the story twists and turns, and will keep you reading through night as you watch some of the great literary villains unreel their plots.
by econoquist
3 Comments
And cruel intentions right?
Love this book
Don’t forget the movie Cruel Intentions, one of my favorites when I was a teen (it was released when I was 11).
I liked the songs in the movie too.
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> It seems overdue for a big budget miniseries.
There is a series from Starz that was released in 2022. I have been planning to watch it but I couldn’t find time.
I recommend watching the french movie Ridicule if you like that stuff. Rather than general court intrigue though the theme is wit, with aristocrats asserting superiority in their social circle by who can gaud others with the most verve. Good shit if you like seeing nobles scheme against each other.