Cruel Intentions was a film I had wanted to see for a long time. I actually thought that it was a scary film, I don’t know why, but I hadn’t read to much into the film as I don’t like to spoilt them for myself before I go and watch them. Scary film? How wrong could I be, this is a drama and there is nothing in it that’s scary at all, so I was wrong, there you go, I’ve admitted it!
So what is it all about? Well, I don’t quite know how to explain it but I’ll have a good go! Cruel Intentions is based around the main 2 characters, Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Geller) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe). They are brother and sister in laws who thrive on betrayal. They both like each other, Sebastian makes this obvious but Kathryn uses his lust for her to her advantage. Anyway, I’m not going to try and explain this film to much as I really only understood one part of the film (Drama really isn’t my type of thing). The two teenagers are filthy rich and spoilt and it shows well in the film!
The main storyline is that a et is made between Sebastian and Kathryn that he won’t be able to bed a girl that has written an article in a magazine about wanting to keep her virginity and she has to be in love before she commits to having sex with someone. This girl is going to be staying with his auntie in her massive mansion. So, Sebastian plans to make a visit to his aunties to try and seduce Annette (Reese Wetherspoon) as this is what he is best at, seducing women by promising them the world and playing with words until he gets them in bed, they do have to be virgins though and it gives him a kick to think he can do this. If Sebastian wins the bet and he does bed Annette then he gets to do what he has always wanted and bed Kathryn, if he loses, he has to hand over his 1956 Jaguar Roadster to Kathryn. He takes the bet but you can tell he doesn’t want to loose his beloved car!
Further on into the film he starts seducing Annette using his customised ways and also using and blackmailing his friends to help him bad her along the way. One slight problem though, he actually starts to fall in love with her. This is the first time he has felt love so it all becomes a bit complicated. As all this is happening, Kathryn is playing with another virgins relationship and setting it all up for her on pleasure, but I didn’t really get this part of the film.
Anyway, if I give any more away I might aswell just tell you the whole plot and tell you the ending, but I wont spoil the film for you! Now, as Drama isn’t really my thing I was quite surprised to be drawn into the film. The acting is good even though I don’t like Sarah Michelle Geller all that much (why did I bother watching it?!)
The music in this film is good though and I wouldn’t mind the soundtrack to it. It’s starts off with Placebo and ends with skunk anansie. I was surprised to find quite a lot of English tracks in the film actually as it was made in and star’s American actors.
Final Recommendation? Well if like me you are not really a Drama fan then I would still recommend this film as it does make a good film whatever your tastes. It’s not predictable in any way, I could never have predicted the ending. Maybe a little confusing for the likes of myself (I like a good comedy action or horror flick meself!) but not so confusing that you will find yourself bored. As I said, I only really got the main storyline and didn’t quite get what the other one was about! You can rent it for about £2 at blockbuster at the moment and for that price its well worth seeing!
If you like betrayal, tragedy and psychological stuff, then this is a film for you. If you like a good bit of action, car chases, guns, scary bits then you should probably give it a miss.