Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Today, we have those light on plot, heavy with well, heavy breathing, bodice ripper romances. Lurid covers, lots of purple prose and thick with bosoms and thighs. We feel a touch guilty reading them, but oh, how they make a hot summer afternoon just a bit more, well, summer...

Such was the case with this eighteenth century potboiler. Terrifically adapted from the french novel by Choderlos de Laclos by Christopher Hampton, this movie brings us the best parts of the novel, along with some snappy dialogue, incredible costuming and sets, an outstanding score, and some of the best acting around by Glenn Close, Michelle Pfieffer and in a role that was made for him, John Malkovich. Two young actors also made their early appearances, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves.

The novel itself is in a form that was common to the eighteenth century, what was called an epistolary novel, where all of the action, character development and insights, occur as letters that are sent from the various characters to each other. Romances, secret longings, betrayals and lust are all revealed in these searing letters. Letter writing at the time was an art form, widely practiced in aristocratic circles, and Hampton in his adaptation lifted entire sections from these letters and did a wonderful job of making them understandable to a modern audience.

The plot is as follows: Madame la Marquise de Mertuil (Glenn Close) is a pillar of high society, beautiful, admired, and with a plethora of secret lovers. Over the years she has learned to wear a perfect mask that hides the turmoil inside. For the Marquise loves to have her own way in all things, and thinks nothing of destroying a life or two along the way. For her, it's entertainment of the best sort.

Her partner in mischief is the Vicomte de Valmont, silkily played here by John Malkovich. He's the perfect foil for the Marquise, ready to seduce at the drop of a handkerchief. Indeed, he's turned it into an art form, and is rather admired for it. When seeking to ruin a rival's innocent young daughter, the Marquise turns to her friend, Valmont, to do the wicked deed.

And here is where the film opens, with Valmont meeting the rival, Madame de Volanges (Swoosie Kurtz) and her daughter, Cecile (Uma Thurman). Valmont dismisses the conquest as "too easy -- she'll be on her back before the first bouquet of roses is unwrapped." Stung, the Marquise offers him a challenge and wiggles out of him the name of a woman that Valmont is interested in taking.

It's none other than the proper, rather prudish, Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfieffer), who dresses badly, with some charm, and who is very much in love with her husband. So, the Marquise offers, bring me proof -- written proof -- that you've conquered this woman, and I'll give you a reward.

Unable to resist, Valmont takes up the gauntlet, and the story is on. We are treated to sumptuous sets, costumes, delightful stories of seduction, betrayal and ruin. For nothing in this is as it seems, and bit by bit we see the masks stripped from each character in turn, and we can't help being drawn into their world.

I felt genuinely sympathetic towards the characters of Tourvel and Cecile, as each is drawn into seduction, and eventual disaster. And although Valmont is a repitilian monster as the story starts, for he's not loathe to turn to rape and manipulation to get what he wants, by the end, he's well -- likeable.

And there's the cornerstone of the story -- the tale of how people can be redeemed and change. I won't spill any more of the plot here, it's too good to miss.

This film is not at all for children, with the vivid depictions of the rather bawdy, decadent life of the nobility as the French Revolution closes in. There's rape, nudity, sex, seduction, a very good dueling sequence and plenty of adult themes. Directed by Stephen Frears, and a terrific score by George Fenton. If you can, watch it on DVD so you get the full screen effect.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age