I never could get the hang of Thursdays.
+4
#26
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
And in the end, I distilled everything to one wonderfully simple principle: win or die.
I like a good costume drama, especially one with a bit of bite to it. Glenn Close and John Malkovich play utterly reprehensible aristocrats, who engage in dangerous games with the lives, loves and reputations of the people around them, and receive their comeuppance in the end.
Stephen Frears is a bit hit and miss for me as a director but he has made some really fine movies - including My Beautiful Laundrette and Philomena. Dangerous Liaisons looks fantastic (the costumes!), and despite dealing with some really quite despicable individuals, it has a lot of emotional power - especially when the notorious rake Valmont begins to fall in love himself with the virtuous woman he is attempting to corrupt. Even the scheming, amoral Marquise de Merteiul inspires some sympathy - cruelty is her method of survival. Based on the excellent book Les Liasions Dangereuse by Cholderlos de Laclos, the screenplay is full of sharp wit. There have been several versions but I think this is the best, with an honourable mention for the modern update, Cruel Intentions, which is also really good.