Cruel Intentions is a teen movie of sorts, but not a typical American Pie/Road Trip/etc one. Instead it has a far darker sexual theme…
Details
It begins with Sebastian, who’s been working his way through most of the local girls and is after more challenging sexual conquests. Next we see is Sebastian’s step-sister Kathryn, who’s president of the student body, talking to Mrs Caldwell (played by Cybil’s friend from the TV show Cybil) and her daughter Cecile, a prospective new student.
It turns out Kathryn has a grudge against Cecile after her ex-boyfriend left her and fell for Cecile. Cecile’s still a virgin, but Kathryn wants to change all that, and render her “damaged goods”. She enlists step-brother Sebastian to help, but he has plans of his own. He finds the new head’s daughter Annette is ‘saving herself’ and thinks she could be his “greatest victory”. The two make a wager – if Sebastian can bed Annette then Kathryn will sleep with him too, but if he loses, he has to give her his prized 1956 Jaguar Roadster.
As the film develops, the two manipulate Cecile, her cello teacher Ronald and Annette. Naturally it’s a film charged with sexual energy – there’s only one proper sex scene I think, but plenty of suggestion. Matters get carried away a bit, as they try to ‘damage’ Cecile, while both satisfying their own urges (in various ways). And, of course, the story gets even more complicated once love is introduced. Oh, and if anyone’s been waiting to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in a lesbian kiss, here it is…
Generally I found the acting convincing, all the characters acquitting their roles reasonably respectfully; but the whole concept of the story seemed rather strange. Who were these people (Kathryn and Sebastian) manipulating other people’s sex lives? How did they do it and why? It all just seemed a little far-fetched and unconvincing to me.
Despite that, if you don’t think about that, and just accept the film, it’s entertaining. It’s not the kind of thing you can completely turn off in, you did need to pay some attention, but it’s an enjoyable watch. Like I said, plenty of sex, and of course a side dose of love as characters struggle with their feelings – though I won’t give away who with who. There’s an interesting twist near the end, and I thought the conclusion itself was pretty good too.
Added to the film itself is a pretty decent soundtrack. The film opens to Placebo’s ‘Every Me & Every You’, and also features Blur’s ‘Coffee & TV’, Cardigans’ ‘Love Fool’, Fatboy Slim’s ‘Praise You’ and Counting Crows, Aimee Mann and Skunk Anansie amongst others.
Duration: 95 mins Certificate: 15 (sexually charged, but you don’t see much)
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
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
I love this film ...not that Im biased by Ryan Phillippe in anyway. Nice to see it appeals to guys too, good op
WierdAlien 12.01.2003 16:55
cruel intentions is an excellent movie, who cares why they are doing what they are doing, the point is they all gave a great performance, and it has a great ending oh and Ryan Phillipe looked good in it, good Op.
lucylu_84 07.01.2003 21:49
i enjoyed this film, have you seen the sequel? Lucy xx
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
Review of CruelIntentions 2 (DVD)
Dec 9th, 2002
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