Valmont

Colin Firth looks too slick, lacking the devilish sparkle that Malkovich has in Frears's version. The whole film is surprisingly bland, without much emotion. Forman lost the direct contest with Frears commercially and, unfortunately, artistically. (11.05.2003)

Even though I really like Miloš Forman, with this one you simply cannot deny that Valmont came too late so it had to yield to Dangerous Liaisons, which are much more attractive for the average viewer than a story from the 18th century full of intrigues and falseness. But if you do give the movie a chance for a while, you will notice its beautiful and unique cinematography. Well and if you are familiar with Dangerous Liaisons, you will also enjoy a series of minor, but pleasant surprises, so in the end, you will not be disappointed. And if nothing else, you will at least appreciate that the movie was made by Miloš Forman, which is something every Czech should appreciate! (14.02.2017)

I've always adored Valmont and scornfully laughed at the very dangerous acquaintances who tried to step on this classic. I still like Forman's work, but by a strange coincidence, I managed to fall in love with the rejuvenated version of the story so much that even Colin Firth's memorable portrayal begins to pale in comparison. Currently, let's say it's a tie. (13.07.2023)

There have never been enough de Laclos adaptations. Interest in his transcripts peaked in the late 1980s, and I have to add that Frears' competing project means little when compared to Miloš Forman's purely auteur concept. Forman's Valmont is a gem among all his works, a balanced work of moral destruction that plays out both a playful minuet and a funeral mass at the same moment. Superb cinematography, ethereal set design, haunting music, and breathtaking performances are all a given with this film. (03.02.2009)

Colin Firth and a foxy redheaded Annette Bening could have easily carried the film without the assistance of elaborate costumes and set design. But these, on the other hand, pleasantly wordlessly built up the illusion of bourgeois vacuity throughout, with the only pastime among the bored lower gentry being the tiresome scrounging for shags, which still has to be handled as a LARP as part of elaborate social etiquette. The illusion of a world of summer estates, mansions, gardens, and banquets is mastered perfectly by Valmont, and that's why the desired frivolity works. From the very first shot, I felt a tingling in my guillotine like never before. (08.04.2019)

I really liked this Forman's approach, especially because it's light-hearted. Annette Bening is absolutely amazing here and Colin, who goes against his usual type and against the character's type, fits in very well. The ending is a bit lost, but it doesn't change the fact that I enjoyed the movie and revived this favorite story again. (15.12.2014)