Valmont, played by Rupert Everett, plays the cad. He's met his match in Marquise de Merteuil (Catherine Deneuve). She has married in the past for both love and money, but now she's determined to use power to protect her vulnerabilities. We see that Valmont possesses the same dual nature.
Rupert Everett as Valmont
Valmont falls for Madame de Tourvel...or does he? She's married. She first resists. As soon as she gives in to what she knows will be wrong...she spirals, possibly taking Valmont with her.
Natassja Kinski as Madame de Tourvel
The illicit team of Valmont and Marquise de Merteuil conspire together to use the initially innocent Cécile de Volanges. For Merteuil, it is revenge; for Valmont, to protect his heart.
Lelee Sobieski as Cécile de Volanges
All of the scheming plays on. Everyone has been hurt before the scenes begin. They channel their rage and betrayal against, around and at each other all in an effort to push away the pain that love can cause.
Catherine Deneuve as Marquise de Merteuil
The cinematography here plays in opposites. There are brightly lit, surrealistically colored scenes followed by dark, brooding scenes. Valmont is dark; Merteuil is light. Much is shown at night. The script is not as crisp or as witty as the 1988 film by Stephen Frears. The vision here is one of an intellectual thriller. What's not being said is often the most important.
Deneuve is perfect for her role. The director states that she wanted to show Deneuve's icy Hitchcockian persona. Everett is a fine Valmont. Kinski is terrifc with what she has to work with...which isn't much. The standout loser here is Sobieski. She's outclassed and it shows.
It's interesting to note that separate English and French versions were filmed (with all of the actors speaking both languages). One consequence can be heard in this Extended Version in French when a bit of the English version slips in. Listen for it. You'll hear Valmont say at one point, "This is fun."
Indeed, it was.
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