Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 film directed by Stephen Frears. It is based upon a play by Christopher Hampton which, by its turn, is based on the classic eighteenth-century novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

Production Highlights

Dangerous Liaisons was Frears' first production in the United States, and his eighth feature film. With seven Academy Award nominations, it was considered at the time a very successful Hollywood debut.

Related Topics:
United States - Feature film - Academy Award - Hollywood

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The film features widely acclaimed performances from Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer in the roles of the three major characters from Laclos' novel, the Marquise de Merteuil, the Vicomte de Valmont and Madame de Tourvel, respectively; Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman and Swoosie Kurtz also star in supporting roles.

Related Topics:
Glenn Close - John Malkovich - Michelle Pfeiffer - Keanu Reeves - Uma Thurman - Swoosie Kurtz

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The movie was entirely shot on location in historical buildings of the French regions of Île-de-France and Picardie such as, among others, the famous Château de Vincennes. It was co-produced by Christopher Hampton, who also wrote the screenplay based on his own adaptation of Laclos' novel for the stage.

Related Topics:
French regions - Île-de-France - Picardie - Château de Vincennes - Christopher Hampton

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The original score was written by George Fenton. The soundtrack also included masterpieces of baroque and classical music, most notably works from Vivaldi, Bach, Handel and Gluck.

Related Topics:
George Fenton - Baroque - Classical music - Vivaldi - Bach - Handel - Gluck

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The film, whose characters speak American English, strives for an authentic French sensibility: conversations are hushed, almost whispered, in an effort to evoke the grace and reserve of eighteenth-century nobility.

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