(movie) Dangerous Liaisons

I've had the pleasure of watching this yesterday, and it made for quite a compelling watch. The leads are stunning - either separately or together. I'm not that fond of Jang Dong Gun even though he's one of the biggest names in Hallyu, but I have to say he is perfectly cast as a seductive gentleman. The anguish and doubt in his eyes are so raw. I like both Zhang Zi Yi and Cecilia Cheung, but I have to say it is the latter that shines. Every scene of hers is just so alive, her emotions thickly veiled; we feel like we can see through her, but then we have to think again.

The story itself is a bit tedious, though not utterly unpredictable. We have a playboy about to fall in love with his innocent prey. We have an enchantress toying with everyone's feelings for her own satisfaction. We have lots of love triangles, sexual adventures, manipulations, and a bit of a power play. There are some scenes that I feel are redundant, and we might also need more chemistry between Jang Dong Gun and Zhang Zi Yi as well as more scenes for their relationship to develop.

The most wonderful thing comes from the subtlest of scenes, also the emotions in each actor's eyes. It is the best thing about watching these feelings develop from within and you feel with them, each and every scar.

This might not be the best movie I have ever watched, the soundtrack is quite forgettable to say the least, and I'm not a big fan of the twist at the end, but it makes for one poignant watch. If you like the actors, it might be worth a watch for the eyecandy (plus, I love everything Cecilia Cheung wears in the movie).

Note: this movie is an adaptation of the 1988 movie of the same name.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars