Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 American period romantic drama film directed by Stephen Frears, from a screenplay by Christopher Hampton based on his 1985 play Les Liaisons Dangereuses, itself adapted from the 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The film depicts schemes of seduction and revenge among aristocrats in 18th century France, and stars Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman, Swoosie Kurtz, Mildred Natwick, Peter Capaldi and Keanu Reeves.