Comparing the book, Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos, to its modern movie version, Cruel Intentions starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, is my intention. I aim to analyze the modifications made to the original French text regarding plot, character, morals/values, and themes. Furthermore, I will explore how these alterations impact the story’s meaning and reflect diverse cultural/historical contexts. Given the disparities in their respective publication dates, significant differences exist between these two works.
Firstly, let’s discuss and compare the plots of both works. The narratives in both works follow a similar structure, with some differences in their endings. In “Dangerous Liaisons,” the Vicomte de Valmont meets his fate in a sword duel against Danceny. Just before Valmont’s death, he entrusts Danceny with his collection of letters exchanged between him and the Marquise de Merteuil, urging him to circulate them in order to ruin Merteuil’s reputation. Danceny complies with Valmont’s wishes and then departs for a period of time. As for Merteuil, she suffers from disfigurement due to smallpox, leading to the collapse of her social standing. Consequently, she relocates to Holland. Cecile returns to the convent, while Madame de Tourvel ultimately succumbs to misery caused by Valmont’s cruelty.
Due to the modernized nature of Cruel Intentions, the ending differs significantly from the original story. In this adaptation, Sebastian (Valmont) tragically perishes in a car accident while protecting Annette (Tourvel) by pushing her out of harm’s way. This mode of demise is a far cry from the traditional sword fight seen in the original Dangerous Liaisons. Additionally, the character of Valmont is portrayed as more heroic in the film, which contrasts with his less gallant persona in the novel. The fate of Ronald (Danceny) remains ambiguous as it is not explicitly disclosed in the movie after his altercation with Sebastian. Just like in the book, Catherine (Merteuil) has her reputation tarnished, but in Cruel Intentions, her humiliation is more sensational as it takes place in front of both students and faculty. Moreover, an element of drug use is introduced, with Catherine’s addiction to cocaine being brought to light. This inclusion reflects the prevalence of drug-related themes in contemporary cinema and highlights one aspect that sets Cruel Intentions apart culturally. Through collaborative efforts, Cecile and Annette (Tourvel) team up to create copies of Sebastian’s journal that expose Catherine’s true nature, subsequently distributing them among students and faculty members. This act serves as Cecile’s direct retaliation against Catherine, a departure from her passive role in Dangerous Liaisons. Such character development also reflects the increasing independence exhibited by women in today’s society. In contrast, Dangerous Liaisons portrays Tourvel succumbing to despair and Cecile entering a convent, highlighting the subordinate and less empowered position held by women during the late 1700s societal norms.In the final scene, Annette drives away in Sebastian’s high-priced vehicle. This departure serves as a customary conclusion to a contemporary tale. In the novel, her persona meets her demise; however, in the film adaptation, she emerges as a revengeful and self-reliant woman.
The change in morals and values due to cultural and historical context is evident. Dangerous Liaisons was primarily created to impart lessons to young women in society, warning them about certain behaviors to avoid. However, this type of literature faced criticism during its time of creation.
In 1824, the cour royale de Paris issued a decree condemning a book as dangerous and calling for its destruction. This verdict remained the official stance well into the later nineteenth century. The book was widely criticized and considered immoral, with some describing it as a shameful portrayal of immorality that should have remained hidden even if it had been true. However, it also garnered both admiration and condemnation. (Laclos, p. 7) The movie adaptation of the book was primarily created for entertainment purposes and was well-received in a society believed to be immoral. Despite the exaggerated schemes devised and executed by the characters Catherine and Sebastian, modern audiences are entertained by such personalities. These characters, being unlikely to exist in real life, serve as intriguing elements for today’s audience.
Next, I will discuss the themes present in both the book and the movie. Appearance plays a crucial role in both works, albeit with notable differences. In Dangerous Liaisons, the character Merteuil possessed physical beauty and a virtuous reputation. However, her true nature was wicked and immoral. She presented herself as a good and virtuous lady externally, but internally, she was deceitful and unprincipled. Towards the end of the book, after becoming disfigured, there is a significant line that highlights this theme: the disease transformed her inside out, making her soul visible on her face (Laclos, p. 392). Similarly, in the movie, Catherine’s appearance holds great significance. She is beautiful and maintains a reputable image. Everyone views her as trustworthy and even elected her class president. However, no one knows the real Catherine – an evil individual with a cold heart. Throughout the film, Catherine never sheds a tear; however, when she realizes her reputation has been tarnished, she finally breaks down and cries. In essence, this displays her true self; she finally reveals her soul through tears.
One notable theme in the text is religion. Throughout the book, religion plays a significant role, particularly in connection with the character Tourvel. Tourvel is portrayed as a virtuous, faithful, and honest character who heavily relies on her faith in God. Additionally, Cecile’s upbringing includes living in a convent, and towards the end of the book, she returns to it. On the other hand, religion is barely noticeable in Cruel Intentions, except for the portrayal of Catherine as a devout individual who ultimately proves otherwise. The movie emphasizes Annette’s purity through her commitment to abstinence until marriage, but it does not necessarily have religious undertones.
The theme of symbolism plays a significant role as well in Cruel Intentions, specifically through the use of color and its representation. Annette consistently appears in white or light-colored clothing, symbolizing her purity and reflecting her character. Conversely, Catherine and Sebastian are frequently seen in black or dark-colored clothing, representing evil and aligning with their respective natures. However, the book does not explicitly delve into this symbolism regarding characters’ attire, preventing me from applying this theme to it.
Lastly, I would like to discuss the issue of Libertinism, which emerged in the eighteenth century around the time Dangerous Liaisons was written. Libertinism was a movement centered around questioning religion and God, as well as engaging in scandalous affairs. The individuals involved in this movement rejected the idea that the world is controlled by God and instead believed that one’s actions determined their fate. Valmont and Merteuil, the main characters in the book, can be seen as prominent Libertines. The novel itself serves as a clear example of the values associated with Libertinism.
Both of these pieces of work were written in their respective cultural and historical context. My analysis sought to compare the two in terms of plot, characters, morals/values, and themes, while taking into account their cultural and historical contexts. Dangerous Liaisons was regarded as a condemned literary work, while Cruel Intentions highlighted and modernized this immorality within the story.
Essays on Movies, Cinema, and Films
