"Why do you suppose we only feel compelled to chase the ones who run away?"
Vicomte de Valmont
Dangerous Liasions 1988
Marquise answers this with one word: Immaturity. Yet, are the mature as reluctant to oblige to such premonition? This movie was suggested to me by a great friend and reader of these postings; so I wanted to highlight this film today on a few different topics with my own criticism. My interpretations of films are sometimes off the wall; other times they are right on. When I ponder topics of interest; I start with a quote... one that is powerful, unique, and often witty; however, the concept of seduction... well, that is an anomaly in itself; and I am just going to let the words flow.
What I believe is that we; meaning selfish humans; not only chase those that run away; we continue to hunt the intangible when they've told us to walk away.
It reminds me of the people that just don't get it. The people that think they are invincible to other people and their surroundings.
If lust provokes revenge; does love provoke such a chase? When I try to summarize the ideals behind seduction, I think of sultry acquisition of oneself. The type that is someones alter ego; someones inner eclectic personality. The type of seduction that only fantasy and porn can portray. Yet, women, sometimes even men are craving seduction, or at least the act of being seduced.
Is seduction more than a head game? If not, why do people play the game?
This film demonstrated that high risk games involving passion; fulfilled the minds of the bored aristocrats; or at least that is what the IMDB claimed; through mindless seductive acts of power. I looked at this film as more of a seductive game of jealousy, and mind manipulation. The mind games of the "want"; and the confusion of love; which only meant power to the ring leader.
Is love dangerous? What makes us believe liaisons are an act of communication? Aren't they just idiocracys of desire?
Think about the way society talks to one another. Body language is seduction; a daring stare is seduction; even a smile can be seduction. When we look into the eyes of the seducer do we know what they want? Or do they see our reflection in their soul,and we feel we need to want it in return?
When seduction becomes someone else's game; the game begins to be played a lot differently.
One can only seduce a seduce-able person; one can only be seduced by a seducer and the competitive nature of the game is the ultimate acceptance of the act. Seduction tends to create unwanted lust and admiration in one person when the object of someones affection is seduced by someone else.
Do we seek revenge or jealousy when we least expect it? Or do we seek solitude and understanding when we most crave it?
"You'll find the shame is like the pain, you only feel it once."
- Marquise de Merteuil
Is Marquise right? Is she a pro at seduction? Men want to feel wanted. Women claim they need to feel appreciated. When we continue to battle the want, and appreciation of one another; the seduction in the act of the game of love, becomes a travesty.
I may not completely understand the act of seduction; however, I do find that the game is beyond the head; its further than the imagination; and honestly; it is about the act. We wouldn't seduce if we didn't know what the end game was, and we wouldn't retract unless there was a clever exit strategy.
"When one woman strikes at the heart of another she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal." - Marquise de Merteuil
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bobbot
Alpha Whiskey
Gary Gladstone
fingerlakeswanderer
Dennis Knight
Gabby Fox
Salon.com
Comments
Great analysis and insight, rated.