Cruel Intentions **** (1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon) – Classic Movie Review 301

Written and directed by Roger Kumble in 1999, this is a most enjoyable and satisfying teen erotic thriller version of the French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos and its movie versions Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and Valmont (1989). It shows you how strong the material is that it translates perfectly and effortlessly to a modern-day upper-class New York setting.

This grips throughout as rich, scheming Manhattan step-siblings Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) plot the downfall of others through the power of sex.

Finally, the arrogant Sebastian bites off more than he can chew when he bets Kathryn that he can seduce his new headmaster’s virginal daughter Annette (Reese Witherspoon). The prize is to be Kathryn for him if he wins, or his precious car for her if he loses.

Stylish, exciting and divinely decadent, the movie, beautifully lensed by cinematographer Theo van de Sande, has a dream-like mood and is beguiling. It’s also perfectly sleek and sexy, while young, cool, beautiful 90s people Phillippe and Gellar are ideal.

There’s fine work too from Witherspoon, plus Selma Blair, Louise Fletcher, Joshua Jackson, Eric Mabius, Sean Patrick Thomas, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Baranski and Tara Reid. Kurtz also appeared in Dangerous Liaisons.

Rated R for strong sexual dialogue and sexual situations involving teens, language and drug use.

Kumble made the prequel Cruel Intentions 2, set a few years before the original, in 2000, with a different cast in Robin Dunne and Amy Adams. And Cruel Intentions 3 followed in 2004 with another different cast in Kerr Smith and Kristina Anapau.

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© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 301

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