In 1989, for first, dangerous links “is a real masterpiece” (critic)

Tonight on television, the formidable adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos signed Stephen Frears is rebroadcast on Arte. More than a classic, a masterpiece. “And, for once, the word is not too strong” wrote first as soon as it came out in the dining room.

The book of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (published in 1782) never ceases to be brought to the screen, Sex intentions Until its modern version made in Netflix. But of course, adaptation Dangerous connections that you have to have seen, it is that of Stephen Frearswhich will be rebroadcast this evening on Arte.

The story of two brilliant and spiritual aristocrats, the Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the attractive viscount of Valmont (John Malkovich), which sign a “inviolable friendship” pact at the end of their affair. It is in the name of this one that the Marquise asks Valmont to seduce the Candide Cecile of Volanges (Uma Thurman) who must soon marry his ex-favori, M. de Bastide (Keanu Reeves). But Valmont undertook to seduce the virtuous Mme de Tourvel (Michel Pfeiffer).

When it was released in March 1989, the film amazed the editorial staff of Firstas Jean-Paul Chaillet wrote in his criticism of the time.

Recalling that it was an adaptation of “The play of English playwright Christopher Hampton, itself inspired by the famous epistolary novel by Choderlos de Laclos”, He wroteit “Dangerous connectionsit is first of all a striking gallery of portraits whose masks fall, revealing the painful awareness of the unfathomable disarray of their lives. “

Then he detailed everyone’s talent from Glenn Closed to Michelle Pfeiffer by the way Uma Thurmanwith a “Special mention at John Malkovichdazzling self-control, constantly balanced on the thread of the perilous razor of a role which he uniquely lives. ” He concluded his review “thunderbolt” Thus : “bringing together the rare alchemy of a stunning staging of inventive virtuosity and a direction of breathtaking actors (…), Stephen Frearshelped by the magnificent work in the photo of Philippe Rousselot, made of his Dangerous links Not only is an eminently personal film but the will of an era. Frears is never looking at himself filming. The camera is economical, the objective scrutinizes the faces, seeking to guess the real feelings of the characters to expose their ultimate decrepitude with an almost cruel indecency. The exposure is total and frontal. And the painful message – The cheating of the soul are never rewarded and we undoubtedly die each time a little more not to make the difference between sex and love – is timeless. Dangerous connections is a masterpiece because of this apotheosis telescoping. And, for once, the word is not too strong. “

Chéri: Michelle Pfeiffer in love and romantic