Watch Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons is a 2012 multinational film adaptation of the classic French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, with the story transposed to 1930s Shanghai, on the cusp of World War II. This iteration, directed by Hur Jin-ho, presents a cinematic tapestry weaved with themes of love, seduction, betrayal, and the intricate dynamics of high society.

The film masterfully intertwines the East with the West by retaining the core plot of the original text but infusing it with the aesthetics, customs, and historical backdrop of early 20th century China. Dangerous Liaisons is adorned with lavish sets, resplendent costumes, and a magnetic atmosphere indicative of a society teetering between decadence and impending disaster.

Cecilia Cheung, Jang Dong-Gun, and Ziyi Zhang headline the cast with poignant performances that bring this timeless tale of manipulation and tragic romance to life. Cheung portrays Du Fenyu, a young widow renowned for her grace, beauty, and a reputation untarnished by scandal—a rarity among the elite circles of Shanghai. Ziyi Zhang's character, Mo Jieyu, is a woman wielding incredible allure and intelligence; her sharp wit and sophistication make her a formidable match in the dangerous game of social chess being played. At the heart of the story is Xie Yifan, portrayed by Jang Dong-Gun, a notorious playboy and cousin to Mo Jieyu, who, despite his roguish exterior, conceals a more complex and vulnerable interior life.

The story kicks off with a seemingly innocuous bet: Mo Jieyu, after being jilted by a former lover, seeks revenge, and she challenges Xie Yifan to seduce the virtuous and seemingly unattainable Du Fenyu. As the maneuverings and intrigues unfold, the web of deception grows ever more complex, engulfing the characters in a narrative that probes the dark heart of human desires.

Through the course of the narrative, the veneer of civility and elegance starts to crack, revealing the desperation, loneliness, and cruelty that lie beneath. The character's arcs embody various facets of love and morality's spectrum, from the purest intentions to the most malicious schemes. Every character is multifaceted and possesses motives that blur the lines between victim and villain, making the story as much a psychological exploration as it is a period drama.

At its core, Dangerous Liaisons is a study of contrasts — the opulent lives of the characters starkly juxtaposed against the backdrop of a society teetering on the brink of chaos. The lush cinematography captures a world that is sumptuous in its extravagance, yet hollow at its center, hinting at the historical turmoil that is about to unfold with the advent of war.

Music plays a notable role in the film, accentuating the tension and emotions of the narrative. The score helps transport the viewer to the intended time and space, magnifying the dramatic flair of each scene. The use of classical pieces juxtaposed with traditional Chinese music underscores the East-meets-West theme that runs throughout the merger of cultures in the movie.

Stylistically, the director executes this adaptation with a clear understanding of the source material's essence while ingeniously reinventing it within a new cultural context. The themes of manipulation, desire, and the moral decadence of the upper class are universal, and the transposition to Shanghai in the 1930s never feels forced or superficial. Instead, it injects a freshness into a well-trodden narrative.

The performances are nuanced and layered, with the main trio of actors offering chemistry that captivates the audience. Cecilia Cheung's portrayal of the virtuous widow is both dignified and nuanced, affording the character a depth that transcends her role as a mere object of seduction in the dangerous game. Jang Dong-Gun's Xie Yifan is crafted with both charm and a brooding inner turmoil that becomes more pronounced as his true feelings begin to surface. Ziyi Zhang's Mo Jieyu, the orchestrator of the wager, is a picture of cunning and charm, a woman whose motives are as enigmatic as they are ruthless.

Ultimately, Dangerous Liaisons is a film that deftly combines the lavishness of a period drama with the intricate storytelling of a psychological thriller. It is a movie that attempts not only to entertain but also to provide a commentary on the human condition, exploring how even in the midst of civil unrest and societal change, the games of the heart remain perilous and all-consuming.

The film was received with admiration for its visual opulence, rich character development, and ambitious cross-cultural take on a classic work of literature. Dangerous Liaisons represents a collaborative cinematic experience that offers both homage to the original novel and a standalone feature capable of captivating an audience with its own unique charms.

Dangerous Liaisons is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 59.