Monday Night Movie - The Director's Cut: "Dangerous Liaisons"

Welcome to The Director's Cut! Beyond being a voracious reader, Library Director Kiera Parrott is also an avid film aficionado. She particularly loves Technicolor-soaked musicals, richly designed historical pieces, smart drama… and she can’t resist a thrilling work of sci-fi horror. For the first Monday of January through April, Kiera has selected a personal favorite film to share—the “Director’s Cut”—ranging from the romantic to the spine-tingling.

This week we are showing "Dangerous Liaisons.”

“The game of conquest is underway. Anything goes when a predatory, wealthy widow (Glenn Close) challenges a notorious rake (John Malkovich) to seduce a beautiful young newlywed (Michelle Pfeiffer). But this time, a cardinal rule will be broken: two players will fall in love – with tragic results. This acclaimed winner of three Academy Awards® boasts grand 18th-century sets and costumes. But its characters could step into the 20th century without missing a beat. Directed by Stephen Frears from a scandalous 1782 novel and Christopher Hampton’s compelling 1986 play, “Dangerous Liaisons” is “nasty, decadent fun; the surprise is how much anguished emotion seeps through its cool marble heart.” – Newsweek

Director: Stephen Frears

Year: 1988

Starring: Glenn Close as Marquise de Merteuil, John Malkovich as Vicomte de Valmont, Michelle Pfeiffer as Madame de Tourvel, Swoosie Kurtz as Madame de Volanges, Keanu Reeves as Chevalier Danceny, Mildred Natwick as Madame de Rosemonde, Uma Thurman as Cécile de Volanges, Peter Capaldi as Azolan, Joe Sheridan as Georges, Valerie Gogan as Julie, Laura Benson as Émilie, Joanna Pavlis as Adèle, François Montagut as Belleroche, and Harry Jones as Armand. 

This movie is 1 hour and 59 minutes and is rated R (for mature content, including strong language and violence).

Watch the official trailer.