Marie
give me a chance to explain, then throw me out.
Please let me talk to you first.
Emily
is one of my old girlfriends.
I told you about my past.
That's why I wanted to come here.
To get away from all that.
Hoping that I could
get away from all that.
- You could have avoided her. - I did avoid her!
You slept with her in the stables. Is that your idea of fidelity?
Emily wanted to sleep with me.
When I told her I wouldn't
she went totally mad.
- So what? - So what!
She was going to wait for you in the house.
She was going to make a scandal.
I tried to calm her down.
That was my mistake.
I thought
I could get out of it.
Yes, I'm guilty
but I'm only guilty
of using the wrong tactics.
I don't know.
Maybe you're lying.
I want to believe you.
Please believe me. Believe me, I beg you.
We can be happy like before.
Yesterday, I lost everything
it was my own fault.
Today I can get it all back, with your help.
It's up to you, and only you.
Our future
our happiness is in your hands.
I love you.
Yes.
Bravo.
Begs the question why you chose the violin.
Even as a boy, I was too tall to be a jockey.
Violin
horses
strange upbringing for a poor child.
I'm not a poor child.
My parents were rich, but they lost everything.
Darn.
I don't believe it. What a surprise!
Isabelle.
Marie Tourvel, Raphael Danceny.
Hello.
Could you help me?
You're not the only one who has smart holiday ideas.
Nor the only one who hides their loves.
Come, Marie. Are you okay?
You didn't get hurt, I hope?
No. More scared than hurt. Thank you.
Let's not stay with them.
You know
she doesn't scare me.
She hates you.
Really?
Yes. Everyone says so. And it shows a bit.
Be careful, Marie. Watch out.
"Be careful, Marie. Watch out."
- When are you two getting married? - Sorry?
How many children do you want? Six, ten?
Let the good lord decide.
Send me a picture of their first communion.
Don't be ridiculous. I'm trying to have a holiday here.
Ridiculous? Look who's talking.
I've caught you red-handed in fidelity.
You think I'm that naive? Go.
I've hurt her before, I'll hurt her again.
You're lying to yourself
- you're in love with this woman. - No.
You're losing you. You're nothing like the Valmont of old
proud and independent, free. A real player.
This woman will end up making you look common.
Is Marie Tourvel your future?
No.
Love will be your undoing.
I don't know how to get out of it.
- When are you leaving for paris? - In two days.
- In two days, it will be done. - Good.
I don't know how I'm going to do it.
She forgave me
she'll forgive me anything.
She loves me.
I've got a recipe for you.
You be Marie, and I'll be Valmont.
Every time she says something
all he says is, "It's not my fault."
I don't get it.
The fact is, Marie
words don't have the same meaning for you and me.
It's not my fault.
How can you be saying that?
I say it because I'm a man
and you're just a woman.
It's not my fault.
So you just decide one day that everything's over between us.
Yes, Marie. I betrayed you with .
I'll betray you again and again.
It's not my fault.
But I love you.
You may love me.
But I don't love you any more.
You're passionate while I am cold. It's not my fault.
Valmont, you can't do that.
But yes, I'm doing it, Marie.
I don't feel anything for you. What once was, is no more.
It's not my fault.
And if I kill myself?
You'd make an ordinary situation tragic
it would be a mistake.
It would be your fault.
I'm cold!
You're cold?
It's not my fault!
I don't like coming here.
Everything reminds me of my husband.
Suppose I go to your place?
While I'm waiting.
Waiting?
For my divorce.
I'll wait for my divorce.
This is where you belong, Marie.
This is where it all has to end.
It's not my fault.
I betrayed you with .
I'll betray you again.
It's not my fault.
Men are unfaithful
and women are obstinate.
It's not my fault.
Find another boyfriend quick.
That's my advice to you.
If you don't like him
it's not my fault.
Goodbye, Marie.
I had fun being with you
and I'll have fun
being without you.
That's how it is.
I would have preferred to leave you without hurting your feelings, but
it's impossible.
It's not my fault.
Please, don't go.
No. Don't.
Good evening.
This couldn't wait?
I couldn't wait any longer.
Come in.
I realize now how wrong I was
when I left you, so long ago.
I also realize how wrong I was
But it's not your fault!
And I thought we were such good friends. Even I had no idea.
Anyway
forget about Cecile. Or rather, bravo, Cecile, thank you, Cecile!
It is Cecile that made me realize
that there has always been one woman
looking out for me.
So
i want
i would like you to have this.
But why?
A symbol of repentance and tenderness.
This is too much!
Well, then
as a symbol of my love.
Isabelle
will you marry me?
Marry you?
I have been waiting so long to hear those words!
When we met in New York a couple of months ago
i was hoping you would ask.
I can't.
It's too late.
But why?
I'm not available.
Of course.
It's only natural.
Raphael!
- Oh, sorry. - I'll be right back.
I'm just taking care of some foundation business.
All right.
That's him?
It's too late, Antoine.
I don't understand.
No
I don't understand
but women want the same thing as men, Antoine!
We prefer them young.
You preferred Cecile. I prefer Raphael.
At last.
It's smoky.
You certainly took your time.
I was entertained by Danceny.
Danceny.
It's time to dispense with Danceny.
In my own good time.
No, right now.
It's over.
As per your instructions, all very efficient, no comeback.
So right now, we get rid of Danceny,
and we spend the night together.
Do you know why I never remarried?
Aside from the fact that I
found it very seductive to pass for a widow.
So that no one would ever
speak to me again in that tone of voice.
- Mine? - Yes, yours.
Stop talking like a husband!
I'm free, I intend to stay that way.
I am simply asking you
to push Danceny aside and make room for me.
But first you must make me want you
which you are failing to do so far.
You don't impress me and you can't please me.
I want to get back together.
Back together?
With the Valmont I once knew.
I'd love to, but he's nowhere in sight.
If you find him again, tell him he'll always be welcome.
Stop all this play-acting.
We made a bargain
and you'll stick to it.
I deflowered the little Volanges girl
I totally ridiculed Gercourt.
I sacrificed Marie Tourvel.
So right now, you'll stick to your promise.
My poor Valmont, you were in
love with Marie Tourvel and you still love her.
But you sacrificed her to your vanity.
To manipulate you, I used only one thing: Your vanity.
Your male pride that wants to dominate everything.
What a joke! I hate Marie Tourvel.
I hate her conjugal bliss, her romance and flowers
when I realized you preferred her
and treasured every moment you spent with her
I decided to reap my revenge.
There's no going back, you know.
Your Marie is as good as dead.
When a woman strikes at another's heart, the blow is fatal.
We have an agreement. Will we respect it?
How dare you ask!
So, from this moment onwards
I remain either your ally
or your enemy.
Our deal.
I want an answer.
Yes
or no?
No.
So then it's war.
It's war.
- I need to talk to you. - I'm not in the mood.
Listen, please!
Are you angry with me?
I'm angry with myself.
And I'm very sad, I haven't had one word from Danceny.
I can't help thinking it's all your fault.
My fault?
I'm sure you told him you'd gone to bed with me.
I swear to you I did not.
Then you told someone who repeated it to him.
Cecile, I did not tell anyone.
Please, don't take me for an idiot. Who knew about us?
- You, me and madame de merteuil. - Right. If it wasn't you
and if it wasn't me then who is left?
Isabelle? For what reason?
The same reason as always.
Jealousy.
Aren't I a fool!
- It's another one of your tricks, isn't it? - What is?
Standing up there watching.
Just one more way of getting me up there.
I promise you, it isn't.
If you don't believe me, come.
Come and have a look at this.
You just want to get me in bed again.
You'll see.
Come on.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Hello, auntie.
Did you have a nice trip?
I'll explain to you.
Well, let's meet tomorrow
at the foundation, all right?
Goodbye.
Come.
Foundation for the arts
auntie!
- I don't understand, why am I doing this? - Trust me.
Trusting you is my problem.
So listen
the treasurer is waiting for you.
Her name is madame Leclerc.
Do exactly what I told you, all right?
Do you think I am a complete fool?
Valmont?
I have a message for you.
What? That's all?
Yes.
That's all.
- What does it mean? - What?
You don't understand?
It means Cecile is still alive.
Even though she almost died.
Died?
You didn't know?
- No. - Isabelle never told you?
How could she hide a thing like that from you?
Come and see me tonight, 10:00.
Here.
It's my favorite new club.
I don't want Isabelle to see us here together.
I've nothing to hide from Isabelle.
You, maybe not.
I certainly do.
I completely understand, madame.
And our foundation has a particular
need for generosity such as yours at the moment.
I do so love music.
Well it's quite simple, I'll write you a check.
We'll set up a transfer. We prefer to.
And benefactors such as yourself may have no next of kin.
Oh, I'll consider it.
Farewell, madame Leclerc.
Valmont doesn't love me anymore.
He never loved me.
You must forget him, Marie.
But I can't!
You must!
Everything is so extreme with my nephew.
Happiness and sadness.
Man enjoys the pleasure he feels,
woman enjoys that which she gives.
Love has no escape!
Why can't I just die right now?
Why do I want him so badly?
Marie, I know you're in there.
Marie, let me in!
I told you I'd be here.
Just in the nick of time. The train leaves in five minutes.
You were right, you know.
Madame Leclerc asked me to make a direct transfer into some offshore bank.
That doesn't surprise me.
Tell me
you, with your good memory.
When Isabelle's husband died, was he rich?
I heard so many conflicting stories at the time.
Some said rich, others said ruined.
People are such gossips!
Given the luxury that his widow enjoys
I would suspect that he was rich! I love you, auntie!
If I didn't have you, I'd have to invent you!
You know very well I've always had a soft spot for you.
What peculiar lack of taste.
Everyone keeps telling you what a cad I am.
I have never criticized you.
But I've mulled over that
thing you asked me to do for you this afternoon.
Take care Valmont, watch your back.
Don't attack the Merteuil woman.
You both come from the same breed.
You are twins, or worse, siamese twins!
- Auntie, you're talking nonsense. - Don't take her on, Valmont.
She will destroy you.
You're like siamese twins.
If you wound her, you'll bleed.
Cut off her head and you're dead.
The train to Vintimille is departing
I'm sorry
you're not a member.
-I'm meeting somebody. -Did you hear?
Monsieur Valmont.
It's all right, Gerard, this gentleman's a friend of mine.
We're safe here.
Isabelle hates gambling.
Anything she can't control, actually.
Cecile got very sick
when she was in St. Tropez.
She told you about it in your last conversation.
At first no one knew exactly what it was she had.
And what was it?
It's a touchy subject.
I want to know.
She'll be absolutely furious with me for telling you
- she would kill me. - Tell me!
You must swear to never tell anyone.
- I swear. - Never!
Least of all her.
Now that she's better, she
doesn't want to talk about it. With you especially.
- Me especially? - Yes.
All bets are off.
I'm afraid she had
a sort of cancer.
She'll never be able to have children.
- No! - Yes.
It was a kind of tumor.
They managed to get rid of it.
And now she's better.
She was very brave
but she was very upset
that you never called.
Play!
And by the way
where were you during all this time?
Shagging Isabelle.
Much more fun than looking after the woman you love, is that it?
Isabelle never told me a thing.
- You sure she even knows about it? - Of course she knows
she was there when Cecile got ill.
- Didn't she tell you? - Nine, red.
Bravo!
You seem to be on a winning streak.
- Congratulations, Mr. Valmont. - Thanks.
Try again.
- Really? - Go on.
What did she tell you anyway?
Isabelle told me that Cecile didn't want me any more.
She said she'd taken up with
with who?
Madame de Merteuil, this way please.
Bravo!
Cecile
they're still applauding.
Go!
After you.
My car's outside.
Go now, anywhere you want. Go!
Raphael!
Danceny!
Good evening.
Good evening, my beauty.
Who did he leave with?
You're losing your cool, my darling.
- But who did he leave with? - Why should I tell you?
It's war, right?
Or do you want to negotiate a truce already?
- No. - I'm not stopping now, you know.
You can't hurt me that much.
Everyone has their achilles' heel.
You managed to find mine:
Pride. Well done.
And I
I found yours
what?
respectability.
I have nothing to fear.
I already have a bad reputation. But you?
You are a prisoner.
A prisoner to your own image.
- What are you planning to do? - Destroy
all appearances.
But there is nothing as powerful as appearances!
Appearances are like walls! A fortress!
- You could never reach me. - You think so?
Try.
Spread whatever you want. Secrets that only you know.
Nobody will believe you. They will, however, believe me.
So, I was right. I found your achilles' heel.
Carry on.
Waste your time. It won't get you far.
Tell me something.
That bloody editor of yours
is he still interested in dishing the dirt on people?
More than ever.
Why?
- What have you heard? - Whispers, really
the foundation for the arts.
Forget it. She's one of the great untouchables.
It seems
they take in a lot more income than they shell out.
But it's only a thought.
Nestor?
- Sir. - The usual, Nestor.
Marie.
Please!
I want to talk to you.
I've got to see you.
Marie.
Isabelle! How nice to see you.
You sound very cheerful.
And so I am.
You know me, Isabelle
I'm not much of a mother, much less a grandmother.
I never wanted to bring up Cecile.
But after the death of my son and my daughter-in-law
I took that responsibility.
And I want her to have a nice marriage.
Today I'm very happy because Danceny and Cecile
- are back together again. - Are they?
True love always wins through.
How do you know about it?
Well, Rosemonde called.
They've gone south.
Rosemonde saw them yesterday kissing and cuddling.
- You don't seem happy about it. - Of course I am.
You were the one who told me how Danceny was so brilliant.
So I did.
Cecile, why on earth have you kept this from me?
I'm the first one to rejoice that you two are back together.
How did you find out?
Rosemonde.
I'm so happy about the reconciliation.
Oh, really?
- I'm your friend, aren't I? - No, I don't think so
if you're my friend, I'd better go join my enemies
as no one's hurt me more than you.
Me?
You told Danceny I didn't love him any more.
Maybe I was wrong.
But as you were sleeping with Valmont and marrying Gercourt
I had good reasons to believe I was right.
You told him I was seeing a water-skiing instructor?
You would've preferred that I say Valmont?
A true friend wouldn't have said anything.
You'd rather have him call you during your miscarriage
You were busy with so many silly things
that it was better to keep Danceny well away
and save him for a better time.
Keep him for yourself more like.
I didn't exactly rape him.
What do you expect to get out of this?
Danceny.
It's absurd.
What do you plan to do with Danceny?
You can't possibly love him, you've no heart.
Call me tenacious.
Besides, he left me in a rather unpleasant way.
I resent that.
In fact, you want Danceny because you don't love him.
You don't want me to have him.
We can say it like that.
You think I'll let you get away with it?
You don't have what it takes!
And you're going to leave?
I've won, haven't I?
You're stark raving mad.
Are you sure you told Danceny everything?
Absolutely.
He's a big boy.
He'll understand. He made a mistake with you.
He'll understand that I've made some myself.
He'll understand, which implies he hasn't understood yet.
He has.
No, he hasn't, because nobody's yet told him the entire story.
- I forbid you. - He doesn't know!
I'll have fun telling him about you, Valmont
the double game. No, the triple game
and the miscarriage.
He loathes you. He won't believe you.
My child, everyone ends up believing me.
He will never believe you.
- Did you see madame de Merteuil? - Why would I?
- You promise? - I promise.
What on earth is wrong with you?
She was here.
She can't stand the fact that we're in love with each other
and she can't wait to tear us apart.
Take it easy. It's not going to happen, ever.
You can't imagine what she's capable of.
Don't worry about her.
- I don't want you to talk to her ever again. - Okay.
- Do you swear? - I swear.
Of course.
It's her! I'm sure it's her!
A telegram for you!
It's her!
I'm sure that it's her!
- I'm sure it's her! - You're mad!
What if it isn't her?
No one else knows that we're here.
No! Don't pick up!
It's her.
Cecile, you're going too far!
We're not going to live like this!
Yes! And you will not leave me again!
No.
You won't leave the house without me, okay?
The front gate! I must shut it!
Darling?
Did you hear something?
No.
It's her!
I'm sure that it's her.
Cecile, that's enough.
Isabelle is a woman, not a demon.
Yes she is!
But what are you afraid of?
What could she tell me?
I don't know what she's capable of.
Did you hear?
That's enough! You're irritating me!
No, don't look.
Don't look!
Don't look.
I don't understand. It's the same paper.
A hospital bill in your name.
It doesn't matter. I know that you were sick.
- You know? - Yes, I know.
Valmont told me.
- You knew about it the whole time? - Yes, my love.
I was crazy to be scared!
You didn't say a word and you forgive me!
Forgive? Forgive what?
Cancer is not a shameful disease, as far as I know.
- Wasn't it a cancer? - Yes.
Yes! But I don't want to talk about it.
Okay? Never!
You look troubled.
Now you're not so sure Cecile hasn't got something to hide.
Whatever you say, I won't believe you.
Of course you're going to believe me.
You think Cecile doesn't want me to tell you what I know.
During her stay here
Cecile went over to Rosemonde's every night as planned.
She'd take your calls in Valmont's room
and then spend the rest of the night with him.
It's not true.
She was having such a good time she didn't take precautions
and got pregnant.
It's not true.
But mother nature
or her own regret wouldn't allow Cecile to bring
a little Valmont named Gercourt into the world.
- She had a miscarriage. - You're lying.
You saw the clinic bill in the pool this morning.
It's nothing but a web of lies.
That's right, nothing but lies.
Lies that are so grotesque
that she's afraid you'll believe in them.
Odd, don't you think? I also lied to you
but I lied in the best of intentions.
When I learnt of this escapade, I preferred to tell you
that Cecile was going distant because of a fling with her water-skiing instructor.
It seemed less cruel than telling you the truth.
Was I so wrong?
Well, go on, scream at me!
I protected you from the truth and made you happy
while everyone else couldn't have cared less about you.
- Isabelle. - Don't!
I am not taking Cecile's leftovers.
We'll talk about it once you've had it out with her.
But don't fool yourself. You and I are finished.
Finished.
That's it. It's all over.
I know all about it. We are finished.
No. Please.
I love you.
Forgive me.
No.
I love you!
I don't care. You are a whore and a liar.
No!
Come back!
I love you!
Ah! Valmont!
Just the man I wanted to see.
You were right on the money.
- You checked it out? - Yes.
- No proof yet, just rumors. - What have you got?
They arrested madame de Merteuil this morning.
- No. - Yes!
The fraud squad.
They suspect her of some kind of tax racket.
They're searching the house now.
- I'll call her right away. - No, are you mad?
There are police all over the place.
How do you know all this?
Sorry, but
I was with her last night.
She's been my mistress for fifteen years.
That makes me, in a way, like you
- an accomplice. - I beg your pardon?
Oh come on, don't mess around, madame Leclerc.
Isabelle asked me to come here and tell you to destroy everything
and get out of here as quick as Air France can take you.
Get out. I don't know what you're talking about!
You get out or I'll call the police.
Too bad, then.
You can't say I didn't warn you.
My intuition was correct.
Yes?
- I've come to see Marie Tourvel. - I'm her husband.
And you are?
I'm the nephew of Rosemonde
who Marie went to stay with this summer, Valmont.
Valmont, is it?
You'd better come in.
She's not here?
Have a seat.
How long since you saw Marie?
I don't know.
I was just passing by.
How well do you know her?
Sorry?
Well enough to know where she is?
I don't understand.
She's disappeared.
I have no idea where she is.
She's disappeared?
She didn't answer the phone last time I called.
I was in Africa on business. I got home two days ago
and found there was no one here.
Two days. You've done nothing since then?
I'm waiting.
I'm afraid she's run off with somebody else.
Oh, I don't think so.
I'm afraid she's committed suicide.
Suicide? Out of the question.
I think she has.
No one packs a suitcase before they commit suicide
or calls a taxi to go to the airport.
I only want your happiness, Valmont
nothing but your happiness.
You have my permission to telephone me.
Marie?
Yes, Valmont.
I've come back, Marie.
I've come back.
You did the right thing, canceling your trip to china.
Two years
two years separated from each other
I couldn't have borne it.
Marie.
I'm here.
No!
Marie.
- No! - Marie, it's all right.
Stop it, Marie!
I'm going.
I'll be back.
Madame Leclerc didn't disappear just like that!
I assure you. There's no answer at her house.
Well, try again.
So much energy
and nowhere to put it.
This may surprise you
but you're not being fair to Cecile.
- I'm not? - No.
Look who's talking!
She behaved rather badly, granted
basely, even.
You shouldn't forget, however, that someone was behind it all.
She wasn't alone.
Valmont
that's the one to go for.
He used me to get to Cecile.
He pretended to be your friend.
He gets her pregnant
then he makes you believe
that she has a tumor so you won't blame him.
Why would he do that?
What has he got against you?
I can't imagine.
Try.
Not only has he done these evil things
they seem to be directed at you.
- You and him. What's the story? - There is no story.
He does horrible things to you
and you pretend not to notice. You're covering up for him!
Me?
And taking it out on poor little Cecile.
It's sick. What are you up to?
It's as if Cecile was just an object.
A way of communicating between you.
Where is he?
What are you going to do?
Where is he?
I know what you did to Cecile. You're a cad.
I know.
I'm a bastard!
You lied to me so that I'd forgive Cecile. Why?
I thought you'd defend her better.
I don't defend the indefensible.
I can't let this go.
- Really? - Yes!
You can't get away with this much evil.
Take your revenge if you wish!
But if you learn from my example
revenge is an overrated delicacy.
A poison.
I don't want revenge or to sue you.
I want to challenge you, fight you.
One no longer fights duels nowadays.
Unfortunately my dear Danceny, you've got the wrong century.
I've a much better idea.
A challenge.
What I am about to tell you has nothing to do with your challenge.
But there's something
you ought to know.
Sleeping with Cecile
was a commission given to me by madame de Merteuil.
You must be joking.
No, not at all
I wasn't in the least bit interested in poor Cecile.
I was in love
with Marie Tourvel.
But why, then?
There are some people who come together for the best.
With us
it was for the worst.
Pretty dangerous falling off a horse, don't you agree?
Break your back and you're paralyzed
hit your head, you're dead.
- All right? - Agreed.
- You're not afraid of a little action? - Not at all.
I'll begin.
The saying goes
you wear your heart on your sleeve.
As far as you're concerned, my beauty
you don't.
However, my intuition was correct:
You do have a weak spot after all
your pride.
To carry out your skill,
you hid beneath the veil of respectability
bolstered by your high social standing
but that demands a certain amount of money.
Thanks to me, you will lose it all.
You bought your good
reputation like you buy your dresses, my darling
without paying too much attention to the bill.
I'm going to make you look at the price for once.
Your treasurer was stealing from the foundation.
I'm not sure if you were party to it
you may even have been unaware of it.
But thanks to my efforts, here you are
ashamed, discredited, compromised.
The courts may have trouble
reaching a verdict: Guilty or innocent
it's not important.
You are guilty of so many crimes.
No matter how many horrors are chalked up to your account
they'll still fall short of the mark.
And if you are not convicted, you'll have to pay
because the foundation was guaranteed by your own fortune.
In short, you're ruined, my dear
and soiled by suspicion.
That indelible stain will serve to distance everyone from you.
Penniless, alone and neglected
I hope you arrive to the same conclusion as I do in writing this.
Dying's almost a release.
We've wasted so much.
All this pain was created by our one dangerous liaison.
So much suffering would
have been avoided with a little more thought.
You've lost.
I congratulate myself now
as I'm not sure I'll be alive to witness your downfall.
To bring about your ruin has brought me no consolation.
My proposal to be your friend or your foe
was all so meaningless.
Each individual is first the victim of himself.
Valmont.
Madame, we're waiting for you.
I'll have my revenge.