Type:
Theatrical Movie
Year:
1999
Production:
Columbia Pictures
Feature:
3/5
DVD:
4/5
Teaser
Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe) are step
siblings. Two jaded scions of wealthy New York parents, they delight in
manipulating people for their own purposes. Sebastian, bored with the
prim debutantes who are no longer shocked by his actions, sets his
sight on virgin territory, Annette (Reese Witherspoon), the new school
headmaster's daughter who has revealed in a published interview that
she is going to remain a virgin until true love finds her.
It sounds like the perfect opportunity to make a bet. If Sebastian can
not bed sweet innocent Annette, Kathryn will claim his 1956 Roadster.
But if Sebastian succeeds, he gets Kathryn, who promises "you can put
it anywhere". Spurred on by the challenge, Sebastian will use his every
wile to win the heart of Annette. But what if he in turn loses his
heart to her?
Comments
Like "Dangerous Liaisons", this movie is based on some French novel. I
haven't read the novel, but I have seen both movies. "Cruel Intentions"
has many similarities to the previous movie (with Glenn Close, John
Malkovich, and Michelle Pfeiffer playing the lead roles). This time
it's a younger cast set in modern times.
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Costuming and
sets are really well done. The locations show a mix of
wealthy elegance but each room has a distinct personality, from the
rich blues of Kathryn's bedroom to the august auburns of Sebastian's
room. The camera work is smooth and the story moves well. It's
definitely a well done movie.
Actors
Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon were living together when this
movie was being made. They play off each other well and the breakup
scene has a lot of feeling. Sarah Michelle Gellar gets to play
manipulative villainess. At the end of the movie I felt a little sorry
for Kathryn. Selma Blair, playing Cecile, one of the ongoing projects
of the two siblings, does a great job playing someone ten years younger.
DVD
The DVD has an audio commentary by the writer, director, producer and a
few other production people. The commentary is a bit dry and
conversational. There are two featurettes, a five-minute "Making of"
and a twenty-minute "Creative Intentions" about the visual designs
(wardrobe and sets). A deleted scenes section includes six scenes with
introductory commentary. Also, two music videos are included: "Every
You, Every Me" by Placebo and "Coming Up From Behind" by Marcy
Playround. Cast and crew biographies round out the extra features.
Recommendations
It's a good drama, well worth watching. This is not the exactly a type
of movie that I enjoy watching. Still, it's a good story up to the end.
But that's just me. I think most people would like the movie. |