It is no secret that I utterly adore Miranda Neville. She’s funny, clever, a fellow Ballroom blogger AND writes like a dream. AND…the girl can title a book. I thought her last book had the best one ever, The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton, until the announcement of the one that’s out at the end of the month–Confessions of an Arranged Marriage. Love.
And then, to make her awesomeness even more obvious, when I asked her to come over and chat about her favorite rogue, she chose the Vicomte de Valmont, a scoundrel with whom I have a long, personal relationship. I can’t help it. You might even say it’s beyond my control. ;)
Miranda! Over to you!
***
We all love a reformed rake. But what about a rake who refuses to be reformed? Despite his truly appalling behavior, I can’t help loving Valmont.
The Vicomte de Valmont is the hero (or something) of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a French novel by Choderlos (there’s a hero name!) de Laclos, published in 1782. It was a wildly popular, utterly shocking novel about sexual games and revenge, much admired by Marie Antoinette.
Valmont and his cohort Madame de Merteuil make a deal. He’ll help her ruin Cecile de Volanges and she’ll sleep with him. Madame de Merteuil wants revenge on Cecile’s fiancé, her former lover. Got that straight? Never mind. The motivations for a tangle of seductions get quite complicated so I’ll move straight on to Valmont’s particular sins.
1. Though it wasn’t the original plan, he ends up sleeping with the fifteen-year-old Cecile to revenge himself on her mother.
2. He seduces Madame de Tourvel, a beautiful and virtuous married lady, simply because it’s a challenge. And he does it so beautifully.
Valmont is far too clever to pretend to be good. Instead he appeals to Madame de Tourvel to reform him. Here’s a quote from the John Malkovich film version.
“I’m not going to deny that I was aware of your beauty. But the point is, this has nothing to do with your beauty. As I got to know you, I began to realize that beauty was the least of your qualities. I became fascinated by your goodness. I was drawn in by it. I didn’t understand what was happening to me. And it was only when I began to feel actual, physical pain every time you left the room that it finally dawned on me: I was in love, for the first time in my life. I knew it was hopeless, but that didn’t matter to me. And it’s not that I want to have you. All I want is to deserve you. Tell me what to do. Show me how to behave. I’ll do anything you say.”
And the kicker is it’ll be all her fault if she resists and he returns to his wicked ways. We want to believe him as much as Madame de Tourvel does. We desperately root for Valmont to be reformed. He seems to have fallen in love with her but has he really? The question is left ambiguous. He tells Madame de Merteuil “I ended by falling on my knees and pledging her eternal love. And do you know that, at that time, and for several hours afterwards, I actually meant it.”
I like to think that he did mean it. But his ego and persona are so tied up in his rakedom that he throws away the chance at true love. The book ends (spoiler alert) badly.
There are at least two film adaptations. Dangerous Liaisons with John Malkovich as Valmont and Michelle Pfeiffer as Madame de Tourvel and Valmont, with Colin Firth and Meg Tilly. Both have their virtues, one of which is gorgeous costumes and sets. Men look so delicious in 18th century garb. In researching this blog, I discovered Alan Rickman had played Valmont on the stage. Be still my heart. I couldn’t find picture, only a short documentary film clip.
Ohhhh…the question! I love it! I mean, it’s so hard! Because I love love love John Malkovich as Valmont…but Colin Firth is…well…Colin Firth, and Alan Rickman has that AMAZING voice!
What do you think? Answer below and one lucky commenter (US only) will win a copy of Miranda’s The Dangerous Viscount (look out for Minerva…the heroine of her latest)!
March 15th, 2012 at 9:12 am
COLIN FIRTH! I could see being seduced by him. I cannot wait until “Confessions” arrives–I LOVE the cover of that book. I am reading “A Rogue by Any Other Name” RIGHT NOW–yummy,am loving it! (You don’t have to enter me in the contest–I already have a copy of “The Dangerous Viscount”)
March 15th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
I loved Colin as Valmont, Alisa (actually I love him in anything) – there are some gorgeous scenes. Hope you enjoy Confessions.
March 15th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Hmm. I’d have to say Alan Rickman. The man has played enough villians in past roles, and he’s really, really good at it. Plus he has that incredible voice.
March 15th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Alan Rickman’s voice. Swoon. I believe there’s a FB group called Everything is Better with Alan Rickman. If there isn’t there should be.
March 15th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Sarah -
I totally agree with you that Sarah’s Burgundy Club series is fantastic! Can you believe it is 2 years this month since first book in the series The Wild Marquis was released?
My heartless reformed rake would definately by Colin Firth and I can even imagine him whispering to me the naughty things he has on his mind! Oh, and look at chin – can you even imagine trying to say no to anything he said and getting THAT look? I definately don’t think that saying no would be a good idea! What about you? How would you wrap him around your little finger?
March 15th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Ah, thank you Jeanne. On the one hand two years have gone by fast. But sometimes it also seems SOOO long ago – and of course even longer since I wrote The Wild Marquis. Right now I’m having a hard time thinking about Confessions when I’m deep in the final stages of yet another book!
March 15th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Oh my… Colin Firth….
March 15th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I knew Mr. Firth was going to get a lot of votes :)
March 15th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Definitely Colin Firth. I adored him as Valmont. I saw Dangerous Liaisons (the Malkovitch version) after Valmont (the Firth version). I think part of the reason I didn’t like DL as much was I didn’t like the girl playing the innocent in DL (Kill Bill actress, who’s name I canNOT remember right now).
March 15th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I agree, Tory. I’m not a huge Uma Thurman fan. I can’t even remember who played Cecile in the Firth version.
March 15th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
I love John Malkovich as Valmont too! The version of that movie has a great cast. However if I were going to be seduced and left heartbroken I’d choose Alan Rickman. I have a crush on him. *grin*
March 15th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I think Malkovich’s performance stressed the villainous side of Valmont, Mel, and Firth was more charming. I wish I’d seen Rickman.
March 15th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
LOL! That question is too easy for me! Colin Firth of course! he can ravish me and leave me heartbroken anytime he wants! LOL! Great post today! I have not seen any of those movies I’ll have to make a stop at the video store for sure now! Thanks for sharing with us!
March 15th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Calling Mr. Firth, calling Mr. Firth … Johanna wants you :)
March 15th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
LOL! That question is too easy for me! Colin Firth of course! he can ravish me and leave me heartbroken anytime he wants! LOL! Great post today! I have not seen any of those movies I’ll have to make a stop at the video store for sure now! Thanks for sharing with us!
March 15th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I’m going with Alan Rickman. I would have LOVED to see him on stage as Valmont. John Malkovich is amazing as well and, truthfully, the part of a man that turns me on the most are his hands…and Mr. Malkovich’s hands are stunning. Now I’ve confused myself and I can’t choose!
March 15th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
I’ve never noticed Malkovich’s hands. I feel I’m ready for a re-view of DL and I shall look out for them. I so wish there was a film of Rickman’s performance
March 15th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I remember the movie w/ John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer (he was quite good at that sleazy sexy snake charmer personality) I never saw Colin Firth’s take on the role but can’t picture him in it — John just made the role his I think & would have trouble picturing any other doing it quite as much justice, of course Alan Rickman with that voice & his own style of charm could give him a run for it though ;)
March 15th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
We don’t usually think of Colin as villainous but he’s a great actor. Think how vile he was in Shakespeare in Love!
March 15th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Of course, Colin Firth! Although he looks a tad young and inexperienced here to send the heart racy as he did when playing Darcy. It’s almost possible to forgive him. John Malkevich’s portrayal was very evil. And he has wierd eyes! Love Alan Rickman’s voice, too, but still vote for Colin all the way!
March 15th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Sue, I cannot think of two more different characters than Valmont and Darcy. Love them both in very different ways.
March 15th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Hi, Miranda_ I own “Valmont” with Colin Firth. He was just a baby. I hated that wig they made him wear. The music in that movie was gorgeous, and the seduction scene when Colin kissed her bottom. OMG!!! You know he has a son by Meg Tilly. I loved this movie!
March 15th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Those outdoor wooing scenes in Valmont were luscious! I forgot he had a relationship with Meg Tilly. I always think of her in The Big Chill with William Hurt, another of my favorite actors.
March 15th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Although I love Colin Firth, the quintessential romantic hero, he is not a heartless, not-to-be-reformed rake. That would be Alan Rickman. He played the wonderful bad guy in ‘Die Hard’ and then stole the show from Kevin Costner in Robin Hood with his inspired portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham. I watched the clip of his Valmont…same signature voice, dripping charm and sexiness. Wow!
March 15th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Alan Rickman totally stole Robin Hood.
March 15th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Colin Firth
March 15th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
I’d have a hard time believing that Colin Firth is a rake so him it is.
March 15th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
I love John Malkovich as Valmont because he isn’t naturally handsome but he makes the character so sexy. Dangerous Liasons is such a great adaptation of the novel. I could never get into the Colin Firth version. I saw the Alan Rickman clip a few months ago. He would have been good but for me, Malkovich claimed the role.
March 15th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Oh, well, geez. Would saying “all three” make me sound trampy? Yes? Okay, then I choose Alan Rickman. It’s not just the voice (but, my God, that voice!) but he has a way of smiling, just a twitch of his lips. Just the slightest lift of the corner of his mouth, and those bedroom eyes! Mmm. ;D
March 16th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
i never cared for Dangerous Liaisons because watching destruction of innocent lives is not entertaining.
March 18th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
For me it would have to be Alan Rickman.
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I LOVE Colin Firth, but…. I have to say Alan Rickman! That voice…. You cannot deny that voice ;-)
October 13th, 2012 at 9:32 am
Alan Rickman.
I first fell for Colin Firth in ” Girl With a Pearl Earring” and love to watch him on film. But I don’t seem to want to love him for being a sexy seducer. I didn’t get into the Malkovich movie very much. He’s just not my type.
Alan Rickman seems absolutely perfect for this role based on the clip. I love him in almost everything I have ever seen him in.