MovieChat Forums > Dangerous Liaisons (1989) Discussion > Interesting takes

Interesting takes

posted 13 years ago by reallyshortpeoplerule
2 replies | jump to latest

So I haven't watched this movie yet but I am currently in a musical based off of the story. I find it interesting that so many people on here are saying that Valmont never loved Tourvel and Merteuil never loved Valmont. In the show it's so obvious that both of those statements are false. So I think it's interesting that there can be so many different interpretations of the story. I personally enjoy it much better with the love in it, mostly because it raises the stakes and makes you care more when everything goes to hell at the end. Anyway that's my random 2 cents.

[–] jh66 13 years ago

Merteuil clearly loves De Valmont, as she even says at one point, or why would she be so bitterly angry and vengeful in that scene at the end where she appears shell-shocked by Valmont's recounting of loving 'and actually meaning it for several hours' de Tourvel?

In this tense scene is, I think, sown the seed (pardon the pun) of Merteuil's rage and jealousy, thus her plans to destroy him. See her illogical reaction and 'argument' to his stroy and protestations?

Even though they both agree to play these sexual games, the end proves the title...'dangerous'?

[–] DasMaedchen84 12 years ago

I never got the sense that Merteuil did not love Valmont. I think she loved him in a very intense, dysfunctional, possibly Jodi Arias type way. This is very obvious for the reasons listed in the post above, and also when she flips out at the end of the film upon learning Valmont has died.

I also found it quite obvious that Valmont loved Tourvel. He just was, again, a dysfunctional person and could not manage his own feelings appropriately.