Review of Cruel Intentions (1999) by Stevenf — 08 Jun 2013

Questionable acting and some bad script decisions aside, Cruel Intentions is something to be admired for its edgy story and raunchy personification of its characters. Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar take centre stage as step brother and sister Sebastian and Kathryn, filthy rich teen who pretty much prey on the weak minded for their own pleasure.

Sebastian is the slick and handsome teen who woos and seduces the young women he wants, until he no longer sees them as a challenge and dumps, destroying their reputation in the process. His stepsister Kathryn is the manipulative temptress who gets what she wants whenever she wants it, they decide to place a bet that Sebastian cannot tempt and seduce the new straight A student Annette (Reese Witherspoon), a young girl who has decided not to lose her virginity until she finds love, something Sebastian wants to take advantage of, especially in a film or setting like this where reputation is everything.

Thrown into the mix are a range of other interesting and unique characters, but some who ultimately don't have enough screen time.

Cruel Intentions immediately sets out to impress yet put the viewer on edge with its crude dialogue and sexual tendencies, Ryan Phillippe plays a confident person in Sebastian, but also shows a much deeper and more meaningful side as he gets to know Annette. Reese Witherspoon, as excellent an actress as she is, really doesn't have very much to say, her dialogue seems very constrained throughout the film which limits her talents.

For me, Sarah Michelle Gellar was the weakest part of the film, until the last five minutes. Her acting was completely off and her facial expressions were virtually non-existent, this just isn't the same person we seen in Buffy. Her constant teasing of her stepbrother just became annoying and cringeworthy, not for the the reason of it being her brother, but it was just very unbelievable.

Selma Blair also puts in a decent performance as the airhead teenager Cecile, sought after by her music teacher and manipulated by Sebastian and Kathryn.

A comedy while also painting a dramatic piece in the closing half hour, Cruel Intentions could hit much higher notes, relying too heavily on its leads to carry the film when a strong cast is already there. But still a nice twist on the typical teen dramedy.