"Les Liaisons Dangereuses", a novel by Chordelos DeLaclos, had a great impact in the French culture. It's a work of such impact that it has served to inspire different screen treatments throughout the years. Roger Vadim updated the book to the France of the 1950s. Together with Claude Blule and Roger Vailand, they adapted Laclos' story among the upper classes.
Juliette Merteuil, who is married to the Vicomte Valmont, are swingers in Paris. Juliette and Valmont love to play around and they move in the right circles where it appears that everything goes, or is, at least, tolerated. They are the ultimate sophisticates who have class the right connections. Juliette wants to teach a lesson to someone that had crossed her in the past, and sets to weave a web of intrigue in order to get her revenge and her kicks, in doing so.
Needless to say, everything backfires on Mme. Merteuil and the Vicomte, as they get entangled in the web that has been spun. Valmont wanted to turn the youthful Cecile into a sex object, even though she is a virtuous girl who is going to get married with Danceny, the man who offended Mme. Merteuil. At the same time, Valmont can't help falling in love with Marianne, a beautiful young woman. It is ironic what happens to Valmont and to Mme. Merteuil, who instead of smallpox gets her face damaged by fire.
The film is interesting to watch as a comparison with the other versions that appear to be much better made than the Vadim version. The best thing going for the film is Gerard Philipe, who plays Valmont. Mr. Philipe made a good impression as the Vicomte. Jeanne Moreau, who is seen as Juliette Merteuil, looked beautiful in the role of the evil woman with designs on others. Jeanne Valerie appears as Cecile and Annette Vadim portrays Marianne. The young Jean-Louis Trintignant is seen as Danceny.
What distinguishes the film is the jazzy musical score by Thelonious Monk. The music blends well with the night club settings in the film and it can stand alone for listening. Marcel Grignon's dark photography didn't transfer to the DVD format well. This has to be one of the darkest photographed films in memory. Even the snow scenes look dark! Roger Vadim's attempt was courageous for transferring the novel to that high society world of the Parisian society.
Juliette Merteuil, who is married to the Vicomte Valmont, are swingers in Paris. Juliette and Valmont love to play around and they move in the right circles where it appears that everything goes, or is, at least, tolerated. They are the ultimate sophisticates who have class the right connections. Juliette wants to teach a lesson to someone that had crossed her in the past, and sets to weave a web of intrigue in order to get her revenge and her kicks, in doing so.
Needless to say, everything backfires on Mme. Merteuil and the Vicomte, as they get entangled in the web that has been spun. Valmont wanted to turn the youthful Cecile into a sex object, even though she is a virtuous girl who is going to get married with Danceny, the man who offended Mme. Merteuil. At the same time, Valmont can't help falling in love with Marianne, a beautiful young woman. It is ironic what happens to Valmont and to Mme. Merteuil, who instead of smallpox gets her face damaged by fire.
The film is interesting to watch as a comparison with the other versions that appear to be much better made than the Vadim version. The best thing going for the film is Gerard Philipe, who plays Valmont. Mr. Philipe made a good impression as the Vicomte. Jeanne Moreau, who is seen as Juliette Merteuil, looked beautiful in the role of the evil woman with designs on others. Jeanne Valerie appears as Cecile and Annette Vadim portrays Marianne. The young Jean-Louis Trintignant is seen as Danceny.
What distinguishes the film is the jazzy musical score by Thelonious Monk. The music blends well with the night club settings in the film and it can stand alone for listening. Marcel Grignon's dark photography didn't transfer to the DVD format well. This has to be one of the darkest photographed films in memory. Even the snow scenes look dark! Roger Vadim's attempt was courageous for transferring the novel to that high society world of the Parisian society.