Cruel Intentions
D: Roger Kumble (1999); with Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Baranski. As if we needed an update of Dangerous Liaisons (or rather the Choderlos de Laclos’ novel, Les Liasions Dangereuses). It seems that any weekend romp with the Lifetime network could offer similar fare, but then again, those films are reserved for the likes of Lindsay Wagner and Jaclyn Smith. Here, hot young stars (and probably future Lifetimers) like Sarah Michelle Gellar strut their stuff in this adaptation set in Manhattan. Gellar plays Kathryn, a rich teen who thrives on manipulating her peers. Her equally vicious cousin, Sebastian (Phillippe), shares her mean streak and spends most of his time bedding chaste debutantes only to humiliate them later (not to mention logging such adventures in his prized journal). When they spy a charming essay on virginity in Seventeen magazine, they place a bet on Sebastian deflowering its author, Annette (Witherspoon). So, it’s off to the races. Unfortunately for Sebastian, his Lothario reputation is far more extensive than he anticipates, and he has to really try extra hard to play the nice guy (or blackmail other teens who pose a threat). At times, Phillippe is able to pull off his role with snotty ease. The impish grin and curly locks reflect a Pan-like quality, but he seems to lack the ruthless machismo necessary for such a role. In fact, it’s apparent that somewhere under all the designer suits and hip shades lies a heart of gold. Witherspoon seems to be the film’s marginal saving grace, but that’s only through her sheer visual appeal. Tight-sweatered, blond, and quite beautiful, her character is a virtual tease for Sebastian. As for Gellar, it seems that a few years working under Susan Lucci primed her for bitchy theatrics. Look for this to be her hallmark following the demise of TV’s Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. A guilty pleasure in some areas, Cruel Intentions succeeds in its attempts at light sleaze. Aside from that, there’s little here that can’t be matched on any daytime soap, so approach with few expectations.This article appears in September 17 • 1999.