120. Sebastian &...

Lyrics

Radiate simply the candle is burning so low for me 
Generate me limply can't seem to place your name cherie 
To rearrange all these thoughts in a moment is suicide 
Come to a strange place we'll talk over old times we never smile 


Sebastian 
Somebody called me Sebastian 
Work out a rhyme - toss me the time - lay me you're mine 
We all know, oh yeah 

Your Persian eyes sparkle your lips ruby blue never speak a sound 
And you oh so gay with Parisian demands you can run around 
Your view of society screws up my mind like you'll never know 
Lead me away come inside see my mind in kaleidoscope

Somebody called me Sebastian 
Somebody called me Sebastian 
Dance on my heart - laugh swoop and dart - la-di-di-da 
Now we all know you, yeah 

La-di-di-da .



It's been a long time since I've seen Cruel Intentions. I liked it enough to remember that Ryan Phillippe's character was called Sebastian Valmont. As Cruel Intentions is based on the novel/play Les liaisons dangereux I thought Valmont's name in there really was Sebastian. It turns out that's not the case. Nevertheless connecting Cockney Rebel's song to a story about sex, power and manipulation in Parisian aristocracy isn't that far-fetched. As for the song itself, I don't actually remember hearing it before and I am mostly amused that this is not at all the kind of song you'd expect to hear from a band called Cockney Rebel.  

The Movie: Dangerous Liaisons (Stephen Frears, 1988)

I wish all actors could enjoy their job half as much as John Malkovich enjoys playing Vicomte de Valmont here. In the space of two years both Stephen Frears and Milos Forman made a film based on this story. I have not seen Forman's film, Valmont, but there the 'vicomte' is played by Colin Firth. I think Firth is a very good actor, but I cannot imagine him being as convincing in the role as Malkovich is. Even if Forman's intentions are different from Frears' it seems to me it's hard to escape Valmont's sleazy intelligence. Valmont is a master manipulator, because he is both ruthless and more intelligent than anyone else in the film, at least until a certain point. These characteristics don't seem to play to Firth's strengths as an actor, at least not as I know him. I haven't seen any Firth film from before Bridget Jones' Diary. 

Valmont's characteristics of course do play to Malkovich's strengths as an actor.. Watching this film, I though playing Valmont fits Malkovich better than even playing himself in Being John Malkovich. It also helps that he clearly loves the dialogue he's been given. There are moments when you can see Malkovich gleefully anticipating his next line, and knowing that he will absolutely nail it. As Valmont is an arrogantly confident man, who is aware of, and takes pleasure, in his arrogant confidence, this may be the best way to portray him. Glenn Close should not be discounted though. As Valmont's lover/rival Marquise de Merteuil she is every bit Malkovich's equal. Unfortunately that cannot be said about Michelle Pfeiffer, playing Madame de Tourvel, the latest victim of Valmont's manipulations. Pfeiffer should not play fragile, prudish damsels in distress, but the opposite of that. She is not bad, but it kind of feels like a waste of her talent.

I wouldn't say Dangerous Liaisons is a great film, but I enjoyed every second of it, not just because of Malkovich and Close. I like that its screenplay (earning Christopher Hampton an Oscar) doesn't feel the need to conceal anything from the audience. Too often a film like this will start out by presenting Valmont and de Merteuil as virtuous characters, only to 'surprise' the audience by revealing their depravity later on. Here these characters are right away presented as shameless manipulators, who manipulate not so much for material, but for emotional gain. Their games are basically an expression of their love and respect for each other. The performative aspects of these games are very much foregrounded, right from the opening scene, which crosscuts between Valmont and de Merteuil dressing up, and putting on wigs and make-up. It reminds a bit of the way sports films present their heroes preparing for the game. Only Dangerous Liaisons is not actually interested in the outcome of the game, just in the way it's played. At least until, near the end of the film, Valmont does actually fall in love with Madame de Tourvel.