Glenn Close Shines in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’: A Masterful Adaptation of a French Classic
Currently starring in the Netflix film “The Deliverance,” Glenn Close first appeared in a 1988 adaptation of an 18th-century French novel.
Among the most talented, but also the most underrated, actresses of her generation, Glenn Close is currently starring in The Deliverance, ranked number 1 on Netflix this week. In this film adapted from a true story, the American actress appears unrecognizable and delivers another high-flying performance.
Glenn Close’s career is almost flawless, just missing an Oscar. She has been nominated eight times, including four times in the Best Actress category. This was notably the case in 1989, for her performance in a film considered by AlloCiné users to be her best (rated 4 out of 5).
It was indeed Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons that was voted by the public as the best film in which Glenn Close appears. The American actress lends her features in this adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ masterpiece to the Machiavellian Marquise de Merteuil.
A cult novel adapted many times for the cinema
For those who didn’t read the novel during their studies, Les Liaisons Dangereuses tells the story of a bet made by Merteuil to the Viscount of Valmont (John Malkovich). The latter is challenged to seduce Cécile de Volanges (Uma Thurman) to get revenge on a former lover of the Marquise who is now engaged to the young woman.
If Valmont fulfills his mission, Merteuil will then agree to give in to the libertine’s favors. But the latter also falls madly in love with Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), a budding romance that will trigger the jealousy and pettiness of the marquise. This romantic game of chance, which began as a simple game of seduction, will gradually take a dramatic turn…
Stephen Frears’ film is generally considered one of the best adaptations of the novel. Which is saying something, since Dangerous Liaisons has been adapted for the cinema many times, both in France (by Roger Vadim in 1959 in particular) and abroad. A modernized version was released under the title Cruel Intentions, and was a great success with young moviegoers.
The best incarnation of the marquise on screen?
Many prestigious actresses have lent their features to the Marquise de Merteuil over time. Notably Jeanne Moreau (in Vadim’s film) and Catherine Deneuve (in a mini-series by Josée Dayan), but also Annette Bening (in Valmont), Zhang Ziyi (in Dangerous Liaisons) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (in Cruel Intentions).
Glenn Close’s performance is the one that will have left the biggest mark on the minds of moviegoers. Managing to find the perfect balance between the sensuality and the Machiavellianism of the character, the American actress delivers a prestigious performance. Her alchemy with John Malkovich is also one of the assets of this adaptation masterfully led by Stephen Frears.
Glenn Close’s adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons is also available for purchase and rental on most video-on-demand platforms. Her new film The Deliverance is currently ranked number 1 on Netflix.
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