Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2017 17:05:38 GMT
Will you please share your thoughts?
I was quite surprised that a recent rewatch rendered the performances not as strong as I remembered, though I still think all of the actors turn in fine work.
Pfeiffer was perhaps who suffered most, mostly from Frears' direction... He's far more interested in making her an emblem of beauty and later a tortured saint than he is in exploring the complicated sexuality and emotional torment of this fascinating woman. We all know what Pfeiffer is capable of, so what gives, Mr. Frears?
And, while I do enjoy the free-range hostility of Close's Merteuil, don't you think that she plays the part a little too "openly" sinister? She isn't charming or sexy, but rather eerie, menacing, and creepy, so it's more than a little hard to believe that society would be flocking to her in droves... I think The Bening may have had a better grasp of the character in the following year's 'Valmont,' honestly...
John Malkovich, Keanu Reeves, and Uma Thurman fail to register at all, really (though Uma and Keanu are both SO pretty), but Swoosie Kurtz and Mildred Natwick shine in smaller roles.
I was quite surprised that a recent rewatch rendered the performances not as strong as I remembered, though I still think all of the actors turn in fine work.
Pfeiffer was perhaps who suffered most, mostly from Frears' direction... He's far more interested in making her an emblem of beauty and later a tortured saint than he is in exploring the complicated sexuality and emotional torment of this fascinating woman. We all know what Pfeiffer is capable of, so what gives, Mr. Frears?
And, while I do enjoy the free-range hostility of Close's Merteuil, don't you think that she plays the part a little too "openly" sinister? She isn't charming or sexy, but rather eerie, menacing, and creepy, so it's more than a little hard to believe that society would be flocking to her in droves... I think The Bening may have had a better grasp of the character in the following year's 'Valmont,' honestly...
John Malkovich, Keanu Reeves, and Uma Thurman fail to register at all, really (though Uma and Keanu are both SO pretty), but Swoosie Kurtz and Mildred Natwick shine in smaller roles.
