Les Liaisons dangereuses (film)
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Les liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) is a 1959 French language film, based on the 1782 novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. It was directed by Roger Vadim, and stars Jeanne Moreau, Gerard Phillipe, and Annette Vadim. It was a French/Italian co-production.
Directed by Roger Vadim as a modern (1959) adaptation of the once scandalous French novel, it pits one woman's desire to manipulate others against the power of real love. Jeanne Moreau plays Juliette de Merteuil, a conniving socialite who manipulates the Vicomte de Valmont (played by Gérard Philipe) into meeting and seducing Marianne (Annette Vadim). Valmont and Marianne fall in love much to his dismay and to the delight of Merteuil. Shot in black and white in the style of the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague) Vadim's whirlwind portrayal of Merteuil and Valmont's deceitful dealings brings together a clash of late 1950's society and 18th century morality.
Vadim's film brought Moreau to an international audience, despite the film's less than stellar critical reviews. The later Jules et Jim would bring her true international stardom. Gérard Philipe died almost 8 weeks after the film's release. It was the last of his films that was released before his death.
The film's score is entirely composed of music written and performed by Thelonious Monk.
Cast includes
- Jeanne Moreau - Juliette de Merteuil
- Gérard Philipe - Vicomte de Valmont
- Annette Vadim - Marianne Tourvel
- Madeleine Lambert - Mme Rosemonde
- Jeanne Valérie - Cécile Volanges
- Nicolas Vogel - Court
- Boris Vian - Prévan
- Gillian Hills - A friend of Cécile
- Paquita Thomas - Nicole
- Jean-Louis Trintignant - Danceny
- Simone Renant - Mme Volanges
