|
This movie is a showcase for some young talent who bring some
razor sharp performances to an old story.
Cruel Intentions is a remake of Dangerous Liaisons which itself
is a remake of the French tale Les Liaisons Dangereuses. This
time the setting has been transplanted from 18th century Paris
to 20th century Manhattan with Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle
Gellar playing wealthy step siblings Sebastian and Kathryn.
To ease the boredom that comes with wealth they choose to play
games with other people's lives. Their latest plot involves
the virginal Annette played by Reese Witherspoon. Sebastian
boasts that he can seduce any woman, so Kathryn challenges him
to a bet. If he can't lure Annette then Kathryn wins his beloved
Jaguar. If he succeeds, then he finally gets to sleep with Kathryn
herself.
Phillippe is excellent as the callous casanova, while Gellar
surprises as sizzling bitchy vamp (an attempt presumably to
start avoid being typecast into Buffy-like characters). Shining
even more brightly though is rapidly rising talent Witherspoon
as Miss Purity.
See this if you are fan of any of the young stars on display.
In a different league from I Know What You Did Last Summer (Gellar
and Phillippe). In a different universe from Simply Irresistible
(Gellar).
|