Valmont Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Colin Firth tries to ruin a perfectly good marriage because Annette Bening told him to, but then he catches feelings and it all goes downhill from there.

🍿 Valmont: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bet

In pre-revolutionary France, the Marquise de Merteuil, scorned by her former lover Gercourt who is set to marry the young Cecile de Volanges, seeks revenge. She enlists the charming Vicomte de Valmont to seduce Cecile before her marriage, preventing Gercourt from enjoying a pure bride. Valmont initially declines, intrigued instead by the challenge of seducing the virtuous and married Madame de Tourvel.

The Seduction Games Begin

Valmont, always up for a challenge, accepts Merteuil’s bet: if he succeeds in corrupting Madame de Tourvel, Merteuil will reward him with her affections. He begins his pursuit of Madame de Tourvel, employing his charm and cunning to undermine her resolve and virtue. Meanwhile, Cecile, under Merteuil’s manipulative guidance, falls for her music tutor, Danceny, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.

Love and Consequences

As Valmont relentlessly pursues Madame de Tourvel, a surprising twist occurs – he finds himself genuinely falling in love with her. This unexpected development complicates his carefully laid plans and the original bet with Merteuil. The consequences of the manipulative games begin to unravel, leading to betrayals, heartbreak, and ultimately, tragedy for all involved.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Valmont (Colin Firth): A charming and manipulative playboy who engages in a bet to seduce a virtuous woman but unexpectedly falls in love.
• Merteuil (Annette Bening): A scheming widow who manipulates Valmont into a bet as revenge and to satisfy her own desires.
• Madame de Tourvel (Meg Tilly): A virtuous and married woman who becomes the target of Valmont’s seduction, leading to an unexpected connection.
• Cecile (Fairuza Balk): A young and innocent girl whose virginity becomes a pawn in Merteuil’s and Valmont’s schemes.
• Danceny (Henry Thomas): A music teacher and Cecile’s lover, caught in the web of intrigue surrounding Cecile.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Valmont: “You are confusing bets and marriages, madame. One must always honor a bet.” – Valmont says this to Merteuil, emphasizing the importance he places on fulfilling their agreement to seduce Madame de Tourvel.
• Merteuil: “You don’t marry your lover.” – Merteuil expresses her cynical view of love and marriage, highlighting the separation between passion and social commitment.
• Merteuil: “Are you surprised? You are an awful man.” – Merteuil says this to Valmont when he tells her he feels awful after falling in love.
• Merteuil: “Yes. For the worse.” – Merteuil answers Valmont when he asks her if she thinks a man can change and sarcastically states that he will change for the worse.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $33,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,132,112
• Worldwide Gross: $1,132,112

💥 Valmont Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Valmont’ for the first time last night, and I’m kind of obsessed. Colin Firth? Dashing. Annette Bening? Absolutely brilliant as the scheming Merteuil. The whole movie is like a beautiful, scandalous painting come to life. The scene where Meg Tilly’s character is standing in the rain outside of Valmonts door, just broke my heart. Even though I knew the ending, I was still hoping for something different. It’s a movie that really makes you think about love, power, and how messy they can get when you mix them together. A must-see!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas and costume dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories of love, seduction, and betrayal”
  • “Admirers of Colin Firth, Annette Bening, and Meg Tilly”
  • “Those who enjoy films with intricate plots and complex characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content and implied nudity”
  • “Mature themes and manipulative behavior”
  • “Brief violence (duel scene)”
  • “May not be suitable for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Forman’s ‘Valmont’ has an engaging energy, due in large part to Firth’s charming yet layered performance. While it might not reach the dramatic heights of ‘Dangerous Liaisons,’ it presents a more accessible and ultimately touching take on the classic story.
• The New York Times: “Annette Bening’s performance as Merteuil is a standout, blending playful wit with a hint of underlying vulnerability. It’s a refreshing take on a character often portrayed as purely malicious, adding depth to the complex power dynamics at play.
• Variety: “While visually stunning and featuring strong performances, ‘Valmont’ ultimately lacks the dramatic punch of its counterpart, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’. The script, while well-crafted, doesn’t fully explore the darker aspects of the characters, resulting in a somewhat softened adaptation.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Colin Firth and Annette Bening was electric!: Most viewers praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly Firth and Bening, for bringing charm and complexity to their roles.

The costumes and set designs were absolutely gorgeous and transported me to 18th-century France.: Many appreciated the film’s visual appeal, highlighting the elaborate costumes and detailed set designs that vividly recreate the Baroque era.

Overall Consensus: ‘Valmont’ is a visually appealing and well-acted adaptation of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ offering a lighter, more accessible take on the story compared to ‘Dangerous Liaisons’.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Meg Tilly and Colin Firth fell in love during filming and had a son together a year later.”
• “Milos Forman directed this adaptation of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ concurrently with Stephen Frears’ ‘Dangerous Liaisons,’ leading to comparisons and competition between the two films.”
• “The movie was filmed on location in France, including at the Château de la Motte-Tilly, to authentically recreate the Baroque era setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Valmont?

As of today, finding Valmont available for streaming can be challenging, but keep an eye on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where it occasionally appears for rent or purchase. Check your preferred streaming service to see if it is included in their movie library. Search for options to buy or rent the digital version of ‘Valmont’ on platforms like Amazon. Purchasing a physical copy on DVD or Blu-ray remains a reliable way to enjoy the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Valmont, you might like these similar films:

• Dangerous Liaisons (1988): Direct adaptation of the same novel, exploring similar themes of seduction and manipulation within the French aristocracy.
• Cruel Intentions (1999): A modern, teen-oriented adaptation of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ updating the themes of manipulation and sexual intrigue to a contemporary setting.
• Amadeus (1984): Directed by Milos Forman, it also explores themes of rivalry and decadence in a historical setting, with a focus on complex characters and social intrigue.
• The Affair of the Necklace (2001): Another film set in pre-revolutionary France that depicts scheming and social climbing within the aristocracy.

🛒 Valmont Related Products

• Dangerous Liaisons (DVD): The other movie from 1988, a classic film adaptation of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich. A great addition for any fan to compare to Valmont.
• Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos (Paperback): The original novel that both films are based on, translated into english. Offers the full story and characters for deep dives into each character and the story.
• Baroque Era European Fashion: 18th Century Costumes: Fashion and Costume book about the time period of the movie to understand the history of clothing in the time period.
• Regencycore Dress: Regencycore dresses inspired by the movie’s aesthetics are popular among those who love the film’s elegant costumes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Valmont features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Divertimento for Winds in B Flat Major, K240” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• “Various Instrumental Pieces” – performed by The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Orion Crashed And Burned

Ever wondered what happened to the studio behind Valmont? This video dives into the story of Orion Pictures, and trust me, it’s a wild ride of success, Oscars, and ultimately, bankruptcy! It’s a must-watch to understand the context of how this movie was made.

Valmont – in 17 seconds!

Can you recap Valmont in just 17 seconds? This hilarious fan-made video does exactly that! It’s ridiculously short, but surprisingly accurate and entertaining. Seriously, give it a watch, you won’t regret the time investment.

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