Blake Snyder Beat Sheet
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Director: Stephen Frears
Writer: Christopher Hampton
Starring: John Malkovich / Glenn Close / Michelle Pfeiffer / Swoosie Kurtz / Uma Thurman / Keanu Reeves / Peter Capaldi
Run Time: 119 Mins
Genre: Buddy Love
Opening Image
Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont are readied and refined by a small army of servants in their respective, lavish surroundings. These two are the elite of society. Detached. Self-loving. Powerful.
Theme Stated
When Cecile de Volanges asks Madame de Volanges why she receives Valmont when she holds such a low opinion of him, the Madame replies, “Everyone receives him.” A nod to Valmont’s sexual proclivity amongst the ladies of high society and what will become the main thrust of the film; Valmont’s pursuit of the famously beautiful and devout Madame de Tourvel.
Set-Up
Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont welcome the newly-arrived Cecile into their circle, a young lady of honour and virtue, and an utter novice in their duplicitous ways.
Catalyst
Marquise de Merteuil entertains Cecile for a specific reason. Cecile is the virgin fiancee of her former lover and the target at which she will aim a vengeful act; to deflower the young maiden before she makes it to her husband’s bed. Merteuil enlists the help of Valmont, the known philanderer, for the task.
Merteuil and Valmont haggle. Valmont states the task is too simple and opts instead to pursue the wife of a member of Parliament, Madame de Tourvel, whose chastity is as famous as his wolfish appetite. Marteuil believes that is a bridge too far but she is impressed by his gall. She uses Valmont’s attraction to herself as a way to raise the stakes of this unsavoury game. If Valmont can bed Tourvel and secure written proof of the deed she will share her bed with him as well. Marteuil is happy to leave her initial proposal behind at the arrival of this fresh intrigue.
Debate
Valmont barely takes a breath between considering and accepting the challenge. He’s a determined man, bolstered by his position as much as past experience.
Break Into Two
Valmont begins his pursuit of Madame de Tourvel who is staying at his aunt’s house.
B-Story
Merteuil continues her campaign against the innocent Cecile, endeavoring to have a handsome young man, Chevalier Danceny, installed as her music instructor. By way of apology Valmont assists her in this, passing notes between the two as soon as their mutual attraction becomes apparent.
Fun and Games
Valmont, knowing he is being tailed by Tourvel’s footman, makes a show of charitable acts in a nearby village so as to soften his reputation with the woman he is pursuing. He blackmails a serving girl to deliver Tourvel’s mail directly to him before she receives it. He makes a habit of shamelessly entreating her whenever the two are alone. For all this he cannot seem to crack her saintly exterior.
All the while he continues his manipulation of Cecile. He tells her of her betrothal and forces his way into her bed by reasoning she needs to be sexually experienced in order to satisfy an older man.
Midpoint
On a stroll through the grounds Valmont drags an emotional response out of Tourvel and knows he is breaking her down.
Aghast at having been undone by Valmont, Cecile turns to the woman who has shown her so much kindness and understanding so far, the Marquise de Merteuil, who advises her to continue down this path. For it is only right for women to take what they can when men have all they want. Mission accomplished for Merteuil.
Bad Guys Close In
Tourvel begins to have a noticeable effect on Valmont’s sympathies. Under constant barrage she surrenders herself to him. Uncharacteristically moved by her tears and distress, Valmont shows her mercy and allows her to retain her dignity by fetching the servants and telling them she is unwell. This is the first time we see that Valmont’s proclamations may have a sprinkle of truth in them.
All Is Lost
Shortly after, in a more consensual moment, Valmont and Tourvel do make their relationship physical. Valmont then informs Merteuil of his accomplishment and that he is ready to collect his prize. Merteuil is so repulsed by Valmont’s obvious attraction to Tourvel that she renders their agreement null-and-void on the basis he hasn’t procured written proof of the deed.
Dark Night of the Soul
Upon realising what he wants is on the brink of being taken away, Valmont bellows, ‘I must have you or die!”
Break Into Three
Merteuil goes away for a short time and tells Valmont he shall have his prize upon her return, if he can get the proof she demands.
Cecile becomes pregnant with Valmont’s child but soon miscarries. Valmont reacts to the entire affair with a detachment at odds with the love he claims to feel for Tourvel.
Finale
In a seeming attempt to hold onto the careless monster he has always been and to claim his prize from Merteuil, Valmont cruelly spurns Tourvel, repeating the phrase, “It is beyond my control.” He so badly wants to conquer the Merteuil that he casts away his last chance at redemption. Worse still, Merteuil again reneges on their agreement. Valmont persists, threatening, “A ‘no’ will be regarded as a declaration of war!” To which Marteuil replies, “All right. . . War.”
Merteuil has been sleeping with the handsome young music instructor Chevalier Danceny for much of the recent past, and uses Valmont’s trespasses against Cecile to provoke Danceny into challenging Valmont to a duel; her act of war. The younger man prevails and stabs Valmont through the stomach. Struck down and dying, Valmont warns Danceny against Merteuil - “We are both her creatures.” - and provides him with letters as proof of their intrigues, suggesting he circulate them. With his final breath he professes his love for Tourvel, who now lies in a convent somewhere, herself dying of shame.
Final Image
Danceny circulates the letter and Merteuil is roundly rejected by the audience at the opera. She ends up in a room all by herself, removing her own make-up. Stripped of all refinement she stares at her own reflection, furious and devastated at the events she wrought on herself.
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