# Cruel Intentions

> 1999 film directed by Roger Kumble

**Wikidata**: [Q64151](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64151)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruel_Intentions)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cruel-intentions

## Summary
Cruel Intentions is a 1999 American romantic drama film directed by Roger Kumble, based on the 1782 French novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair in a modern retelling of the classic story of seduction and betrayal set among wealthy Manhattan teenagers.

## Key Facts
- Release date: August 26, 1999 (United States)
- Director: Roger Kumble
- Runtime: 97 minutes
- Country of origin: United States
- Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Cruel Productions, Original Film
- IMDb ID: tt0139134
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
- Metacritic score: 56/100
- Box office gross: $75,902,208 worldwide
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Based on: "Les Liaisons dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
- Prequel: "Cruel Intentions 2" (2000)

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Cruel Intentions?**
The film follows wealthy step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) who make a wager to seduce the virginal Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon). Kathryn seeks revenge on her ex-boyfriend by having Sebastian seduce his new girlfriend, while Sebastian himself falls genuinely in love with Annette, complicating their manipulative game.

**Who are the main actors in Cruel Intentions?**
The film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil, Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont, Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove, and Selma Blair as Cecile Caldwell. The cast also includes Louise Fletcher, Joshua Jackson, and Eric Mabius in supporting roles.

**What is the film's connection to "Les Liaisons dangereuses"?**
Cruel Intentions is a modern adaptation of the 1782 French epistolary novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The film transposes the story from 18th-century French aristocracy to wealthy teenagers in contemporary New York City, maintaining the themes of seduction, manipulation, and moral corruption.

**Was there a sequel to Cruel Intentions?**
Yes, "Cruel Intentions 2" was released in 2000 as a prequel to the original film. It was also directed by Roger Kumble and explores the backstory of Kathryn and Sebastian's relationship before the events of the first film.

**What awards or recognition did Cruel Intentions receive?**
While not a major awards contender, the film received MTV Movie Award nominations for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair for Best Kiss, which they won. The film has since gained cult status and is considered a significant teen drama of the late 1990s.

## Why It Matters
Cruel Intentions matters as a defining teen drama of the late 1990s that successfully modernized a classic literary work for contemporary audiences. The film captured the cultural zeitgeist of wealthy, privileged youth in Manhattan and explored themes of sexual politics, manipulation, and moral ambiguity that resonated with young adult audiences. Its success helped establish several actors who would become major Hollywood stars, particularly Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. The film's frank depiction of teenage sexuality and its stylish, provocative approach to storytelling influenced subsequent teen dramas and established a template for adapting classic literature into modern settings. Its enduring popularity has led to continued cultural references, a television pilot adaptation, and sustained relevance in discussions of 1990s cinema.

## Notable For
- Modern adaptation of the classic French novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses"
- Launchpad for the careers of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
- MTV Movie Award-winning Best Kiss scene between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair
- Cult status as a defining teen drama of the late 1990s
- Stylish portrayal of wealthy Manhattan youth culture
- Provocative exploration of teenage sexuality and manipulation
- Successful box office performance despite mixed critical reception
- Influence on subsequent teen drama films and television series
- Multiple soundtrack hits including "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve
- Television pilot adaptation attempt in 2016

## Body
### Production and Development
Cruel Intentions was directed by Roger Kumble in his feature film directorial debut. The screenplay was also written by Kumble, who adapted the story from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's 1782 novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses." The film was produced by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film production company, along with IEG Films and Cruel Productions. Columbia Pictures served as the distributor for the film's theatrical release.

### Cast and Characters
The film features a notable ensemble cast of young actors who were either rising stars or would become major Hollywood figures. Sarah Michelle Gellar, fresh from her success on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," plays the manipulative Kathryn Merteuil. Ryan Phillippe portrays her stepbrother Sebastian Valmont, while Reese Witherspoon plays the innocent Annette Hargrove. Selma Blair appears as the naive Cecile Caldwell. The supporting cast includes Louise Fletcher as Sebastian and Kathryn's aunt, Joshua Jackson as Blaine Tuttle, and Eric Mabius as Greg McConnell.

### Literary Adaptation
The film represents one of several modern adaptations of "Les Liaisons dangereuses," following the 1988 Stephen Frears film "Dangerous Liaisons" and preceding various stage and television adaptations. Kumble's version transposes the story from 18th-century France to contemporary New York City, replacing French aristocracy with wealthy Manhattan teenagers. The core themes of seduction, revenge, and moral corruption remain intact while the setting and social dynamics are updated for a 1990s audience.

### Cultural Impact and Reception
Upon release, Cruel Intentions received mixed reviews from critics but found significant commercial success and audience appreciation. The film's frank treatment of teenage sexuality and its stylish, provocative approach to storytelling distinguished it from other teen films of the era. The kiss between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair became iconic and won the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, helping to establish the film's cult status. The soundtrack, featuring The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony," became closely associated with the film and contributed to its cultural impact.

### Box Office Performance
The film was produced on a relatively modest budget and achieved significant box office success. It grossed $75,902,208 worldwide, demonstrating strong commercial appeal despite its controversial subject matter. The film's success helped establish the template for future teen dramas that combined literary adaptation with contemporary settings and mature themes.

### Television Adaptations
The popularity of Cruel Intentions led to attempts at television adaptations. A direct sequel television series was in development but never materialized. In 2016, NBC ordered a pilot for a television series that would have continued the story with Kathryn Merteuil attempting to gain power of Sebastian's son, but the series was not picked up to series.

### Legacy and Influence
Cruel Intentions has maintained its status as a cult classic and a significant entry in the teen drama genre. The film's influence can be seen in subsequent adaptations of classic literature for young adult audiences and in the portrayal of wealthy, privileged youth in popular culture. Its success helped establish several of its young stars as major Hollywood talents and demonstrated the commercial viability of provocative, stylish teen dramas. The film continues to be referenced in popular culture and remains a touchstone for discussions of 1990s cinema and teen entertainment.

## References

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