Occasionally a film is released that you think you're going to love before you go and see it. More occasionally, the film lives up to your expectations. But it is truly a rare film that makes you immediately want to run back into the cinema and see it all over again.
This film absolutely oozes class, the perfect thing to watch on a summer's evening when you're leaning back on the sofa feeling generally superior about the world. It tells the story of Kathryn and Sebastian, seasoned manipulator of people and seasoned ladykiller respectively, and half-brother and sister, who make an original bet. If Sebastian can bed the new headmaster's daughter, a self-avowed virgin who is waiting for 'the right time', then he will be able to have the one person he has never been able to: Kathryn. And if she wins, she gets his prized green vintage Jaguar. The scene is set, and everything progresses well for Sebastian, until something very unexpected happens. He falls in love.
This is an extremely black comedy, which nonetheless leaves you feeling at the end as if you're about to burst into tears. It's likely to appeal to you more if you have a cynical sense of humour - there are plenty of things which aren't, at first glance, obviously funny, but require thought (and a second viewing!). If such things will draw you to a film, then the presence of Sarah Michelle Gellar playing Kathryn will draw plenty of males, whilst Ryan Philippe as Sebastian will have the ladies swooning..
All in all, this is a classy, sexy film, filled with beautiful people playing the very worst (or is that best?) kind of mind games with each other; and the ending is truly tragic. A classic.
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Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Great op - but just one thing, were they actually half brother and sister, or were they step brother and sister? The half sister thing makes it sound a bit incestuous to me and I don't remember thinking this at the time! Really enjoy your writing style though!
prelude210 08.12.2000 21:22
You have a wonderful way of catching the essence of the movie and making me want to see them all at once even ones I've already seen. Thanks!
Advantages: How good the actors are and how class they make this movie to be.And how no special effects are needed to make this movie how good it is. Disadvantages: wasnt long enough lol
crazygeordie 28.06.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Cruel Intentions
Advantages: it was watchable in a funny sort of way Disadvantages: The quality of acting didn't compare to the original, Repeated quotes from the first film
jenni_a 29.04.2003 (29.04.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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