Cruel Intentions (1999)
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48% of critics liked it
(77 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(411,710 ratings)
In an adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) are step-brother and step-sister living in Manhattan. With their absent parents travelling in Europe, the wealthy pair have the family… More In an adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) are step-brother and step-sister living in Manhattan. With their absent parents travelling in Europe, the wealthy pair have the family penthouse to themselves as they while away their summer break before beginning senior year at a private high school. Sebastian, bad-boy lothario, has apparently slept with all the girls in town and appears numb to it all. Kathryn, who appears to be the good girl class president, is actually far more amoral and malicious than Sebastian, but maintains appearances to the contrary. When she is dumped by her boyfriend, Court Reynolds (Charlie O'Connell), for the innocent Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair), she schemes revenge by destroying Cecile's reputation. She challenges Sebastian to deflower Cecile and transform her into a tramp to humiliate Court. Sebastian isn't as interested as Cecile -- she's spent her whole life in a Catholic girl's school and presents no challenge. The girl who has caught his attention is Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the new headmaster's daughter. Annette had written an article for Seventeen Magazine on her plans to stay a virgin until she finds her one true love. Kathryn makes a wager. If Sebastian fails to lure Annette into bed before the summer is over, Kathryn gets his car. If he succeeds, Sebastian gets Kathryn, whom he wants anyway. Sebastian accepts the bet, but Annette turns out to be more than either of them bargained for. ~ Ron Wells, Rovi
- Directed By
- Roger Kumble
- Written By
- Roger Kumble
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Mar 5, 1999 Wide
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
What's both depressing and impressive about Cruel Intentions is the profound misanthropy of its meaning.
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B.J. Sigesmund, Newsweek
You won't be able to resist the film's ribaldry and cynicism. Kids these days!
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, Time Out
Lascivious blackmailers and inveterate immoralists, these characters behave despicably, but the movie affects a tone of urbane detachment which puts sex in its proper perspective.
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Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
You sometimes have to giggle at this movie the way you do when you catch 4-year-olds playing dress-up in front of Mom's closet.
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Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
It is maliciously entertaining, up to a point.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sarah Michelle Gellar
as Kathryn Merteuil
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Ryan Phillippe
as Sebastian Valmont
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Reese Witherspoon
as Annette Hargrove
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Selma Blair
as Cecile Caldwell
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Louise Fletcher
as Helen Rosemond
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Joshua Jackson
as Blaine Tuttle
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Eric Mabius
as Greg McConnell
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Sean Patrick Thomas
as Ronald Clifford
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Swoosie Kurtz
as Dr. Greenbaum
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Christine Baranski
as Bunny Caldwell
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Tara Reid
as Marci Greenbaum
- Bryan Brown



