Dangerous Liaisons (4 Stars)

This is a story based on the French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, first published in 1782. It's been filmed many times from 1959 to 2012, usually under its own name, but also as "Valmont" (1989) and "Cruel Intentions" (1999). The most famous version is the 1988 adaptation with John Malkovich as Sebastian Valmont and Glenn Close as Isabelle Merteuil which won three Oscars. "Cruel Intentions" changed Isabelle's name to Kathrynn and turned all the main characters into American teenagers, but otherwise kept close to the original plot.

The film that I'm reviewing here, the 2012 version, is the most original version so far. Instead of 18th Century France the film takes place in Shanghai in 1931. This new setting is appropriate. The decadence of the rich Chinese elite parallels the decadence of the French aristocracy. Just as the aristocracy was heading blindly towards its destruction in the French revolution, the Chinese elite are about to lose everything when the Japanese army invades.

Of course, the names had to be changed for the Chinese setting:

	Isabelle Merteuil	Mo Jieyu
	Sebastian Valmont	Xie Yifan
	Madame de Tourveil	Du Fenyu
	Cecile de Volanges	Beibei
	Raphael Danceny	Dai Wenzhou

I suspect that most of my readers have seen one version or another of the story already, but here's a brief plot summary for those who don't know it. Xie Yifan is a millionaire playboy, Mo Jieyu owns a bank. When Jieyu's lover dumps her to marry Beibei, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, she asks Yifan to seduce Beibei before the wedding. Yifan declines because he is more interested in seducing his chaste cousin, Du Fenyu. Jieyu makes a bet with Yifan that he won't succeed in seducing Fenyu, offering herself as the prize if he succeeds. In the meantime Beibei has fallen in love with her art teacher, the poor student Dai Wenzhou.

Love, death and the weather

The novel is rightfully considered one of the greatest works of French literature. It's an epic tale of lust, seduction and revenge. This film masterfully brings the story to life in all its power. The acting is first rate throughout.