Set in pre-revolution Rococo France, it’s the rather sordid tale of aristocracy gone to the dogs in a high-stakes game of passionate betrayal.

The wonderfully awful Glenn Close is a kissing-cousin who bets that her ex-lover, a deliciously debauched John Malkovich, can’t seduce the prissy Marie (Pfeiffer).

Of course he can, and goes on to ruin a slew of lives along the way. Small wonder the French revolted.

Writer Christopher Hampton’s stunning adaptation is creepily witty and Frears milks the script with mesmerising skill.

There’s a kind of car-crash compulsion about the emotional nakedness as these rather nasty people go about their nasty business.

As The New Yorker’s Pauline Kael said at the time, in reference to Frears’ agility and daring, “It’s heaven – alive in a way that movies rarely are”.

Dangerous Liaisons is powerfully entertaining stuff that still manages to put the O in My God, 20 years on.

Did you know:

As the Vicomte de Valmont, John Malkovich seduces Swoosie Kurtz’s on-screen daughter. She also stars in the modern update Cruel Intentions and once again, her daughter is seduced by Valmont.

Dangerous Liaisons scored three Oscars from seven nominations, although both Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer went home empty-handed.

After a raft of bit parts, a young Keanu Reeves attracted attention as the dazzling Raphael Danceny. A year later he made Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Drew Barrymore both missed out on the role of Cécile, which went to Uma Thurman.

This was Thurman’s fourth film. She made three in 1988 alone, including The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Johnny Be Good with Robert Downey Jnr.