Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions (1999)
Director:Roger Kumble
Starring: Reese Witherspoon , Ryan Phillipe , Sarah Michelle Gellar

Cruel Intentions is one of my favourite films of all time and to any-one who has not seen it they should its Gossip Girl meets Dangerous Liaisons. Katherine(Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian ( Ryan Phillipe) are spoilt upper east side New York teens and are also step brother and sister. Sebastian gets his kicks from bedding as many girls as possible while Katherine plays the good girl but behind closed doors things are completely different. Sebastian and Katherine place a bet that Sebastian will not be able to sleep with Annette Hardgrove( Reese Witherspoon) the new principles daughter. Sebastian rises to the challenge and wages his Jaguar on it while Katherine wages her body. With many twists and turns Sebastian actually falls in love with Annette discovering a different side to himself but his step sister gets jealous and makes him feel ashamed of what he feels leading to a very horrible and fatal outcome. (I am not going to ruin the ending just watch it!!!!!)

Beautiful people, great clothes , New york and a lot of sex in Cruel Intentions makes it attractive all round for audiences. The story line is flowing all the way through and the acting is second to none already you get to see years previous how Reese Witherspoon earned her Oscar. Sarah Michelle Gellar (also known better as Buffy the Vampire Slayer) stands out and portrays the immoral nasty IT girl Katherine to perfection getting her out of pesky type casting that so many actors who have starred in series like Buffy have fallen into. Ryan Phillipe also gives a stellar performance that makes you sympathise with the harsh realities of been a teenager.

The sharp and biting dialogue in the movie is great with the ever underlying sexual tension with the characters which is one of the main things Kumble wanted to convey.In saying that there are so cheap one liners that take away from the Upper est side feel of the movie. Sebastian's realisation that he was falling in love made for a moving scene when he breaks up with Annette as he cries 'I'm fucked up' the tears streaming down both characters faces is enough to make any one cry.

Although there are also many faults in the film it really makes for good watching. It is an indulgence to good to pass up.With such strong acting from the 3 main leads , darkly funny script and dolloped in Hollywood late 90's movie goodness!!!!!

Until next time
Dawn :)