Valmont (film)
1989
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Dangerous Liaisons: With Alice Englert, Nicholas Denton, Kosar Ali, Nathanael Saleh. A pair of scheming ex-lovers attempt to exploit others by using the power of seduction.
- (1K)
- 2022-11-06
- Drama, History
- 60
- Trailers & Clips
Buy Dangerous Liaisons — Season 1 on Prime Video, Apple TV. While Alice Englert and Nicholas Denton make for a convincingly dangerous duo, this prequel to the esteemed novel feels too...
- (15)
- November 6, 2022
- Nicholas Denton
- An intriguing origin story of the master manipulators to-be.
- Best Reviewed TV Shows of 2022
- What's the best historical Starz series?
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- Verdict
By Emma Fraser
Updated: Nov 6, 2022 7:20 pm
Posted: Nov 6, 2022 7:10 pm
Dangerous Liaisons premieres Nov. 6 on Starz, with one new episode weekly on Sundays.
From the time-bending Outlander to an array of queens, Starz has cornered the historical romp market. A spin on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ popular 1782 novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses, is very much in the network’s passionate period wheelhouse. Thankfully, Dangerous Liaisons creator Harriet Warner’s adaptation isn’t simply retreading old ground and offers a reason to watch this version beyond its opulent aesthetic and attention to detail.
The 18th Century story became an incredibly successful mid-’80s stage production, quickly followed by the Academy Award-winning Dangerous Liaisons starring Glenn Close (among a very stacked cast) three years later. Next came the delicious contemporary teen twist in Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar. All of that is to say, it’s a well-known tale of lust, manipulation, sexual politics, and power games. Opting for a prelude to the novel gives Warner’s version room to breathe — even if it takes a few episodes to step out of the long shadows cast by Close and Gellar.
The year is 1783, and Paris is a city divided into extreme wealth and poverty. Revolution is less than a decade away, and the difference between those living lavishly and everyone else is stark. A title is everything in this world. Before they become the infamous Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont, Camille (Alice Englert) and Valmont (Nicholas Denton) use everything at their disposal to make a mark on the elite circles they will later rule. Adjustments have been made to their origin story, ensuring this series isn’t attempting to mimic the unforgettable performances that came before.
It is hard to put a price on the titles these characters covet in a society with this many rungs on the ladder. Camille and Valmont’s ongoing entanglement is at the core of this story, but it is very much in the fledgling stage of their dance with seduction-infused games. Idealism and cynicism are in a constant tug of war as trust is also hard to come by for the passionate young lovers fighting for everything they can snatch. Tension increases whenever they are on different sides of a fight, which means they are as likely to be throwing down a declaration of war as one of fiery intimacy. Englert is particularly adept at switching between vulnerable and hardened to the cruel Parisian surroundings, and she is excellent at navigating this story from the jump.
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Inclusive casting has become more commonplace in shows like The Great, Bridgerton, and Dickinson. Dangerous Liaisons continues this welcome practice of eschewing an all-white cast for a period endeavor. There is still some stumbling as Camille’s best friend Victoire (Kosar Ali) is stuck as the voice of reason, which is a thankless role at times, and the show would benefit from showing more of her story. Ali is excellent in this role, particularly during a few daring and dangerous scenes, but she isn’t given enough to work with outside relating to Camille. However, Valmont’s stepmother Ondine (Colette Dalal Tchantcho) has plenty of bite and could be a formidable opponent if given the opportunity.
So what about Ondine’s stepson and the big John Malkovich shoes he has to fill? Denton is a chameleon who looks like Eddie Redmayne in Les Miserables when he is not wearing a full face of makeup and a freshly powdered wig. Not that this is anything to hold against him, but intrigue levels increase when he leans into all the cosmetic trappings of this time — perhaps because this is often toned down for men in other productions set during this pre-revolution era. Camille isn’t the only one navigating the different rules of French nobility and trying to take a piece of the pie using whatever tools are at his disposal. The duo is entertaining when tag-teaming these elements.
While revelations aren’t entirely unpredictable, it also doesn’t feel like we’re being strung along.
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When the story falls more into love, not war, the pace slows down, but Englert and Denton certainly have heat and chemistry. While it cannot touch the heights of Close and Malkovich, there is a naivety to how they wield their survival skills which are hardened and softened as the episodes progress.
Seduction and deception are integral to Dangerous Liaisons, as is the way gossip becomes a cudgel to inflict on those who stand in the way. Both Camille and Valmont have lofty goals, and it is less about sport via manipulation and more rooted in personal history. Some parts of Camille’s story are drip-fed at a reasonable pace, and while revelations aren’t entirely unpredictable, it also doesn’t feel like we’re being strung along. However, some information is withheld from other characters occasionally because they need a reason to cause a rift; this rings hollow and contrived.
Starz continues to add to its historical library with a prequel to a story that already boasts several standout adaptations. Stepping into a role made famous by Glenn Close (and Sarah Michelle Gellar with a modern twist) is far from easy, and Alice Englert rises to the occasion as Camille. Dangerous Liaisons stumbles in some of the more contrived s...
- Emma Fraser
Nov 5, 2022 · Dangerous Liaisons. Season 1. Origin story and early years of narcissistic rivals and ex-lovers, Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, who use seduction to control and exploit others. 2022 8 episodes.
A wicked game is about to unravel between Camille & Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. Watch the official trailer premiering Sunday, November 6 on STARZ.
View HD Trailers and Videos for Dangerous Liaisons on Rotten Tomatoes, then check our Tomatometer to find out what the Critics say.
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