Originally held up for two years, but finally released on the strength of Annette Bening's then-rising fame, this is yet another version of Dangerous Liaisons. While quite an effective satirical look at the sexual mores of the 18th century French upper class, it doesn't have the same impact as the Glenn Close-Michelle Pfeiffer starrer which had already pinched all the kudos. Bening and Meg Tilly are exceptionally good in these roles, it's true, but the film, stretched out to 140 minutes, doesn't exactly grip you all the way through. Nor is Colin Firth quite as rakish and amoral as you might expect as the corrupt seducer Valmont; and Fairuza Balk, although actually the right age, seems a little young for the all-too-easily-deflowered convent maid. Veteran actress Fabia Drake, though, is tremendous in her last film role. The dreaded Eastman Colour makes the look of the film pretty drained in comparison with its competitor.

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