Cruel Intentions

1999 Drama

In an adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) are step-brother and step-sister living in Manhattan. With their absent parents travelling in Europe, the wealthy pair have the family penthouse to themselves as they while away their summer break before beginning senior year at a private high school. Sebastian, bad-boy lothario, has apparently slept with all the girls in town and appears numb to it all. Kathryn, who appears to be the good girl class president, is actually far more amoral and malicious than Sebastian, but maintains appearances to the contrary. When she is dumped by her boyfriend, Court Reynolds (Charlie O'Connell), for the innocent Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair), she schemes revenge by destroying Cecile's reputation. She challenges Sebastian to deflower Cecile and transform her into a tramp to humiliate Court. Sebastian isn't as interested as Cecile -- she's spent her whole life in a Catholic girl's school and presents no challenge. The girl who has caught his attention is Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the new headmaster's daughter. Annette had written an article for Seventeen Magazine on her plans to stay a virgin until she finds her one true love. Kathryn makes a wager. If Sebastian fails to lure Annette into bed before the summer is over, Kathryn gets his car. If he succeeds, Sebastian gets Kathryn, whom he wants anyway. Sebastian accepts the bet, but Annette turns out to be more than either of them bargained for. more..

Director: Roger Kumble

Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Louise Fletcher

Reviews

  • A witty, raunchy comedy, which proves that a well-written piece of business - oozing with sex, wit and nasty intrigue - works for any generation.

    Desson Thomson - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • The original was about social manipulation as blood sport. Amazing how easily it transports, themes intact, to our blighted decade, and to our children.

    Stephen Hunter - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • It crash-lands with an ending of soppy moralizing, but until the end, it's smart and merciless in the tradition of the original story.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • Never shocks or even offends by ascribing fully adult cruelties and erotic activities to obnoxious kids; such harshness wouldn't flatter a cast this moussed and magazine-layout-ready.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    19 January 2013

  • You have the queasy sense that the whole thing is just an elaborate stunt, and in this case an exploitative one.

    Stephen Holden - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama/Romance

    Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000)

  • Best Original Score

    Csapnivalo Awards (2000)

  • Trashiest

    Golden Trailer Awards (1999)

  • Best Female Performance

    MTV Movie Awards (2000)

  • Film - Choice Drama

    Teen Choice Awards (1999)