"When one woman strikes at the heart of another she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal."

Based on French author Choderlos de Laclos' scandalous 1782 novel "Les Liasons Dangeureuses," Stephen Frears' sumptuously stylish DANGEROUS LIAISONS (not to be confused with Milos Forman's VALMONT) is a ribald tale concerning a cruel, wicked wager between scheming widow Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close, in a powerhouse performance) and her manipulative, misogynistic ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich, never better); a pair who perfectly display the petty jealousies and jaded insouciance of life in France's royal court in the 18th century. In this debauched and depraved game of love, the deceitful duo are content to let the cards fall where they may to secure themselves a victory - never mind the potential for casual ruination in the lives of de Merteuil's young romantic rival (Uma Thurman), the music teacher (Keanu Reeves) for whom she secretly pines, and the upstanding Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), who finds herself entangled in their mess. But when actual romantic feelings begin to surface, their games take on a more treacherous air. With Swoosie Kurtz.

"Stylish, seductive, and clever, Stephen Frears' adaptation is a wickedly entertaining exploration of sexual politics." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"Director Stephen Frears accelerates entertainingly through Christopher Hampton's wig-and-powder sado-comedy about sexual mind games in 18th-century France. Tantalizingly wicked -- watching it makes the color rise to your cheeks." (Washington Post)

"A mannered, elegant film in which the languorous intrigues of the opening scenes set up the violent passions of the later ones. It is a film in which the surfaces are usually calm, and only the flash of an eye or a slightly raised voice betrays the most terrible struggles going on beneath. Played to perfection by Close and Malkovich in the central roles... Their arch dialogues together turn into exhausting conversational games, tennis matches of the soul." (Roger Ebert)

DANGEROUS LIAISONS
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change

Single Film Tickets $10.50 advance | $12.50 at the door

*Minors welcome in the balcony! Please note these films are rated 18A.) Must be 19+ W/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film.

DANGEROUS LIAISONS (Stephen Frears, 1988 / 119 mins / 18A) The scheming widow Marquise de Merteuil’s makes a bet with her manipulative ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers - in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go quite as planned in this dangerous tale of drama, deceit - and revenge.