by Jason AnkenyThe superficial romanticism of Dangerous Liaisons masks the palpable tension and malice lurking below. George Fenton's rich, intricate score subverts the beauty of the Baroque idiom to brilliantly sinister purposes, capturing the decadence and deception of 18th century France in ravishing detail. Fenton's complex melodies and lush arrangements fit squarely within the classical tradition, but rarely has music so conventionally exquisite possessed such an overwhelming current of malevolence. Its shrill strings, mocking brass, and prattling woodwinds communicate the film's emotional bankruptcy with startling accuracy.