I walked out of this movie
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rossrjensen — 17 years ago(April 12, 2008 09:16 AM)
Okay, let me see if I can help you with a couple of these scenes.
Valmont helps the family out because Marie de Tourvel's assistant is following her and he wants him to report back to her how good he has been. That's why in the next scene Tourvel says that her assistant just happened to pass by (a lie) and noticed him helping the family (so she thinks he is a good person deep down). He's trying to make her think that he is of good character and he can't do this simply by telling her so because of his bad reputation.
In the next scene you mention Tourvel isn't really feeling sick. Valmont has concocted a diversion so that he can give Cecile the note without everyone knowing it. That's why Tourvel looks surprised when he says that she looks sick.
In the final scene you mention, Cecile decides to keep sleeping with Valmont because she respects Merteuil and Merteuil has convinced her to continue her "education". Although Cecile originally knew it was wrong because she was saving herself and was in love with another, she still enjoyed the sexual experience (hence the "I was saying no all along but somehow that's not what I was doing" line), so all Merteuil had to do was convince her it wasn't a bad idea to keep doing it.
I think you're right about the dialogue needing to be deciphered. I never really had much of a problem with it myself but I can see where you're coming from. I think, for me, the acting helped me perceive what the characters meant. I hope I have helped clear up some of the confusion. Did you at least enjoy the movie the second time around? -
meee223 — 17 years ago(April 12, 2008 11:20 AM)
Thank you very much for taking the time and explaining these scenes for me and for understanding that some people can have a problem with interpreting the real meaning of some of the dialogue. I haven't yet watched the rest of the film but will do so at my earliest opportunity. I think I may watch Cruel Intentions first and see if I can understand that film. I've also found it online. I'll report back laterthanks again.
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sandifay62 — 17 years ago(April 24, 2008 07:43 AM)
I think the reason a lot of people nowadays have trouble understanding movies is probably cultural.
With all the ipods, internet, hyper-fast information, etc. Many people have lost the skill of concentration. Many movies adapted from plays and novels require concentration; but our society is geared for short quick bursts of info. Not too mention the amount of stress we have in our lives now.
Back in the 70's and 80's, I read more book and had an easier time understanding wordy movies. Now I have to force myself to quiet my brain to concentrate enough to enjoy a slower paced movie.
One thing I've noticed is with every remake of a movie there's less emphasis on dialogue and more on action, colors, a faster pace, and, pop culture.
If you want to watch a movie that's dialogue and nuance driven, you'll enjoy it more if you plan for it. Watch it on a quiet day when you have nothing else to do, relax, and let the movie happen to you. -
ronibuni-398-953769 — 12 years ago(June 09, 2013 04:42 PM)
The current and rapidly expanding headlong cultural zig-zag away from anything that requires listening to dialog and developing characters is making adult movies a thing of the distant past. If a movie does not make more than it took to film in its first weekend it is considered a flop. Nothing is allowed to get "legs" or grow from "word of mouth". Art and "Indie" films may be the last refuge for the thoughtful viewer.
Texting, email, twitter, (you may insert the headlong squeal of your choice) all serve to hasten the plot and character development aspect of many entertainment mediums obsolete. No one is taught how to think or rewarded for concentrating. Therefore it is not likely that the skill needed to follow a meandering plot that has both conversation and silence as plot points is going to be understood as a possibility by some viewers.
When all mediums that want our money are deliberately directed toward the 18-24 year old audience it is not a surprise that anything made before the internet is going to be hard for certain groups to follow(assuming some may want to try). Society is not made up of slow calm times spent in thought or study. It is hardly a shock that a luscious beautiful film like DANGEROUS LIASONS is difficult to follow and understand. Consider this: What if it had been filmed in black and white as wellYIKES! -
noblesse_oblige — 16 years ago(July 24, 2009 08:44 PM)
Wow. This is just Anyway.
Here's my advice: if you don't have any critical thinking skills to speak of or an actual working thought process system, then you will never understand movies like Dangerous Liaisons. Ever.
Save yourself some time and frustration and go watch something like "Transformers". Not saying this to be mean - just being truthful. You're clearly out of your depth here. -
spookyrat1 — 12 years ago(February 15, 2014 01:26 AM)
Ok, I have watched the first half. I[ understand a little more, but not too much. There's still a lot of confusion. I'm at the part where Valmont (Malkovich)is in bed with Cecile (Uma Thurman) and Uma has just taken off her nightgown and reveals her breasts.
I know this post is some years old, but I feel compelled to comment. Just to state what I believe to be the obvious. Why not wait to see and reflect on the whole film before you post.
Just very hard to understand, hard to pick up on things. Get my drift?
Yes and is it any wonder you had difficulties following the narrative. -
SeisCinemaSeis — 16 years ago(August 19, 2009 05:28 AM)
I don't know how old are you. But if this help you, the first time I saw Dangerous Liaisons I was 15 or 16 years old, and found it boring to death.
I watched it again in my mid 20's and found that this movie was actually pretty good. Years later (recently) saw it once again and I was completely captivated by its elegance and its glorious decadence. Besides I did understand much better the historical context of the film and its social and political implications. Something that I missed the 1st time I saw it.
Movies like Dangerous Liaisons and other period dramas are an acquired taste. I am not saying that teens cannot enjoy it, but certainly the older you are, the more you learn to appreciate this kind of films. -
ribby45 — 13 years ago(October 15, 2012 02:51 PM)
SeisCinemaSeis -
I was 27 when it came out & I thought it was the business.
Glenn Close never better.
John Malkovich hotter than July.
Incredibly decadent and stylish.
24 years later - Glenn Close never better.
John Malkovich older than the hills.
And I feel more than slightly mucky just thinking about the seduction scenes now.
You get older and your perceptions change about films.
Not all - some films I will always worship.
Also, a few bad relationships will kick you into touch about the truth about men & women.
You're right though - films like this are an acquired taste.
A French piece of literature translated by an Englishman into a hit play, then turns into a hit piece of US arthouse (albeit without the original English cast).
That was quite something then.
Can't see it happening now. -
student_points — 14 years ago(December 07, 2011 01:18 PM)
he is. How can you not understand??? Normal IQ but perhaps low EQ?
I saw it when i was 14, without subtitles, cause my native language is not english, and it was crystal clear.
I found the movie Valmont to be more confusing, because some things in the book have been left out, like Valmont's motivation to seduce Cecile and Dangerous Liaisons is very clear about everything.