Les liaisons dangereuses

---

The Dangerous Liaisons - 1960

Loose adaptation inspired by the novel by

Choderlos de Laclos

Some of the characters in this story

have such appalling manners

that it is hard to believe

they could live in our age...

the age of honest men

and modest, prudent women.

From the Preface to The Dangerous Liasons.

Black becomes her.

- What's her background?

- Aristocratic.

She came from the countryside...

dressed in ready-to-wear.

But she couldn't have been

more fully armored.

We were all in love with her.

She was seen with many men.

We all boasted of having had her.

But, since we couldn't prove it...

our bragging soon stopped.

Maybe she's always been virtuous.

No one will ever know. Unless he does.

- Where did they meet?

- At the Political Science Academy.

They married just before his graduation.

- Is he with the Foreign Ministry?

- Yes. He travels a lot.

He'll end up heading his father's factories

or his mother's bank.

Why did she invite us here?

To help her husband get a job

with the UN Development Program.

I thought he ran after women...

not after UN committees.

Her ambition is enough for them both.

Why did she marry him? For money?

It must have been more than that.

- Who are you talking about?

- Our hosts, of course.

Valmont and his wife, Juliette.

Juliette, you're ignoring me.

But I like you a lot.

- Your "a lot" hurts my heart.

- Oh, you have one?

Ever since Valmont introduced you.

Be grateful. Hearts are scarce today.

- Of course I'm grateful.

- And you're flirting with his wife!

Skiing with your husband was fun.

He's very fast.

She warned you against my praise?

My cousin is counterattacking!

You have a low opinion of me.

No. You're a man of high virtue.

- Who said that?

- Your wife, Juliette.

She's your opposite. Faithful, righteous.

Excuse me, please.

I have great news. My daughter...

Elisabeth! Let's get out of here.

- You've never wanted revenge?

- Why?

They're all bored with each other...

except for me and Valmont.

Wow! The last loyal woman in Paris.

And I'm in love with her.

A word of advice.

Fall in love with Loulou Duchemin.

- Lf it's her again...

- I know.

Sorry, Loulou, Valmont is busy.

He's in a meeting.

Sure, I'll tell him.

Juliette Valmont no longer

recognizes Juliette Merteuil?

She's not my type.

Are you bored?

Yes, I am.

I thought you and Prevan...

He's just a colleague.

And the American, Jerry Court?

He's no fun anymore.

Has the New World...

Iost its allure?

I mistook him for Tarzan.

Have you dropped him?

Not yet. I have to find a way.

The style of breaking off is what matters.

I follow my simple routine:

"I picked you up, I had you, good-bye."

I believe in using more finesse.

Why don't you marry him off?

Casanova used to pick husbands

for his ex-mistresses.

I'd love that!

What do you think of Cecile?

I'd already thought of her.

I've even paved the way a little:

"Here is Cecile, a real French girl."

Too bad she's so stupid. Even for Court.

But if I insist...

- He'll agree?

- Absolutely.

- He's already agreed.

- Pardon me?

Mrs. Volange broke the news to me.

He proposed, she accepted,

they're engaged.

Cecile and Court will be married

in the spring.

No kidding!

Valmont has revealed the news.

You were the matchmaker, my dear.

I never expected such an outcome!

He's so nice. A new generation boy.

Responsive to French charm.

He likes France.

Yet he claims

that American wives are smarter.

Most girls in America go to college.

- It's not like that here.

- In other words, we're stupid?

Don't blame him. Unfortunately,

few Parisian women are like you.

- You barely know the man...

- Skin deep...

as Valmont puts it.

Court's jubilant and full of praise for her:

"A perfect, innocent, frank, chaste girl!"

What a command of language!

She's not with you tonight?

She went to a surprise party.

A pure girl at a party?

We know the family.

It's their daughter's 18th birthday.

Your letter was wonderful!

What are you doing here

in the middle of the night?

- Really wonderful!

- Lf your parents saw you here!

Isn't it true what you wrote?

Of course it is.

But you're still so naive.

You don't know what evil is.

You wrote so beautifully!

I figured that you'd always loved me.

At least since our vacation in Baule.

You should have told me before.

I treated you as a child.

The news of your wedding shocked me.

I'll never marry Court.

Why did you get engaged, then?

I want to move out of my house.

My parents are so old-fashioned.

Do you really love me?

Yes, I do.

Won't you kiss me?

- What's the matter?

- You've made progress since Baule.

Nice, but too little closet space.

There's enough.

Not for my outfits!

- Your outfits?

- Yes, my clothing.

- Your clothing here?

- We'll live together.

You'd move in here?

We're in love, aren't we?

I've loved you for years, Cecile.

I've always thought you'd be my wife.

But first, I have to graduate,

and I must do my military service.

- How long is that?

- More than four years.

- Another four years?

- Lf you really love me...

You do, don't you?

But four years is too much!

Your parents would never let you

shack up with a man.

Let's get married then.

I couldn't support you now.

It's complicated, isn't it?

What are you doing?

Don't you understand?

If I became your lover...

my parents would give us the money

to avoid a scandal.

No sex before the wedding!

How do you work it?

Press the second button.

Darling, I'll wait for you

as long as you want.

But not too long, please.

Hello?

Yes, Jerry.

Sad?

Why?

I wondered why

you didn't come over tonight.

He has some news for me.

Okay, tomorrow, then.

No, I'm not alone.

My husband is here.

He's kissing me.

Of course I'm alone. I was just kidding.

Good night, darling.

Yes, I'm already in bed.

I was just getting undressed.

No, I've only taken off my dress.

What do you regret?

You're so mysterious, tonight.

I'll call you later.

- Court gets on my nerves.

- Does he?

You men are all so self-assured!

We pick you up...

conquer you...

but you see yourselves as the conquerors.

To make a statement,

we have to be the first to break up.

Anyway, Court really does annoy me.

Because you're no longer in control.

Who knows me better than you?

Not in the mood?

I live by my principles.

I won't cheat on my current lover,

even with you.

Well, you'll be free tonight.

How proud he must be!

He came, he saw, he conquered.

First, a high official's wife

introduces him to French love...

Finally, he conquers an innocent girl...

with a couple of million dollars...

Enough to make her a perfect wife.

Wait! That's the soft spot!

Instead of marrying virtue,

he shall marry vice!

She's different from you.

But young enough to be molded.

The way you molded me.

Which of us molded the other?

Here's my plan.

The Volanges vacation in Megeve.

You'll go, too.

- I'm going to Switzerland.

- Snow is the same everywhere.

Do me this little favor.

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