Directed by:
Roger KumbleScreenplay:
Roger KumbleCinematography:
Theo van de SandeComposer:
Edward ShearmurCast:
Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Louise Fletcher, Joshua Jackson, Eric Mabius, Sean Patrick Thomas, Swoosie Kurtz (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe sizzle as a pair of unscrupulous siblings in a deliciously sexy tale of seduction, revenge and conquest. After cleverly seducing and ruining the reputation of an unsuspecting classmate, the sparks fly when Kathryn (Gellar) poses the ultimate challenge to her insatiable stepbrother Sebastian (Phillippe): deflower the Headmaster's beautiful, virgin daughter Annette. If he fails, Kathryn gets his most prized possession, but if he succeeds, Sebastian gets to possess and bed Kathryn. The stakes are high, but for Sebastian, the payoff is feverishly irresistible and before the summer's over, no one will escape their relentless game of cat and mouse until one of them is bitten by the most unlikely sensation of all ...love. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (8)
Quite an interesting translation of a classic story into modern high society. A nice runtime, fine actors, catchy music and a treatment clearly aimed at a younger and undemanding audience. But none of the ingredients are great enough to elevate the film to a higher level, and most importantly, compared to the classic 1988 version, I found this Cruel Intentions to be a very poor relation trying to ingratiate itself with the target audience. Sarah Michelle Gellar, for all her charm, is not the bitch that Glenn Close is, and Ryan Phillippe doesn't even come close to the sleaziness of John Malkovich. Otherwise, this is a surprisingly enjoyable and very well-written movie that deserves cult status to some extent. 70%
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My girlfriend literally adores this movie. I must admit that until last week, I had actually never seen it in its entirety. I always watched only a part, sometimes a longer section, but never the whole thing. What caught my attention at first sight - or rather, sound - was definitely the soundtrack. "Colorblind" by Counting Crows is beautiful, and the well-known "Bitter Sweet Symphony" never disappoints. I knew the story from other works, mainly from the theater, because the older film adaptation also escaped me so far. I must say that the more classical version suits me much better, but in the performance with Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Reese Witherspoon, there are elements that are very good. The modern-day adaptation is well done, including the changes to the story and some of the characters. However, these changes are not at the expense of the story, which remains cohesive and quite believable. Gellar is great as the villain, for which she deserves praise, as the performances of the others are not as remarkable. Reese plays her innocent little girl as always, with occasional strong moments, while Ryan Phillippe is tragic and relying solely on his looks. When he turns into a good guy, he is really bad. But Joshua Jackson compensates for that as the gay character. This is how I always wanted to see this actor, because he can't really play anything else. The movie has the right amount of sexual tension, without going too far, and it doesn't turn into an erotic film. However, you will find yourself glancing at your partner, or rather her cleavage. "Cruel Intentions" is definitely not a bad movie. For young people, it is probably a more acceptable version of the classic work by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/06/nebezpecne-znamosti-jak-ztratit-kluka.html
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The first time, disappointment, disgust, mockery. The second time, reconciliation, an apology to Roger Kumble, embarrassment over the change of mood from one minute to the next, and admiration for the entire ensemble of actors. It will never be a film for my heart, but a well-timed viewing has opened my eyes a little. P.S.: I became acquainted with this film for a third time, and the atmosphere is getting to me more and more deeply. I don't understand myself, but my rating keeps rising higher and higher.
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I still can't get over the "gelatinous" Selma Blair, who played the role really fantastically. Overall, the choice of actors was spot on. The film has a nice feel to it and for me, after quite a long time, a film that had me thinking "don’t end yet, movie". The story has to be taken with a grain of salt, but even that adds incredible charm to the film. Beautifully debauched... the ending maybe a little too much. I like the intrigue.
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The fact that this is a classic novel transferred to modern times bothers me least of all. What’s worse is that the unsympathetic Ryan Phillippe is not a particularly good actor, and the same can be said for Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the result is nothing more than a mildly irritating one-off spectacle in which, except perhaps for Reese Witherspoon's tears, everything is fake.
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