Liaisons Dangereuses (1959)

Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1959), starring Jeanne Moreau (Jules and Jim) and Gérard Philipe (La Ronde), is a provocative adaptation of the classic novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Updated to present-day France by director Roger Vadim (Barbarella), the film follows Valmont (Philipe) and Juliette (Moreau) as they manipulate each other into having extra-marital affairs. Juliette points Valmont towards the 16-year-old Cécile (Jeanne Valérie), since she has eyes on Cécile's prospective fiancé Court (Nicolas Vogel). Sex becomes sport in this deliciously backstabbing drama which notably features a score by jazz legend Thelonious Monk.