Cruel Intentions MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

The manipulative teenager Kathryn Merteuil-Valmont (Sarah Michelle Gellar) teams up with her stepbrother, Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillipe), to get back at Kathryns ex- boyfriend. Kathryn has been dumped for Cecile (Selma Blair) and their plan is for Sebastian to have sex with Cecile, labeling her a tramp, and therefore not as great a prize for Kathryns ex-boyfriend. In the meantime, Sebastian is looking for a real challenge, so he bets Kathryn that he can have sex with Annette (Reese Witherspoon), who is a virgin. If Sebastian wins the bet, he wins the opportunity to have sex with his stepsister, Kathryn. But, as Sebastian chases after Annette, he begins to realize that he may have real feelings for her. Several scenes seem contrived and the storyline gets muddled in several places throughout the film. But, because of the advertising and the big teen stars, the film will probably attract a large number of teenagers and young adults.

CRUEL INTENTIONS gives people the wrong ideas throughout. The characters laugh and mock at people who obey or love their parents. The wager between siblings implies incest to be morally acceptable. And characters make light of anyone who claims to be a virgin referring to them as homosexuals. On that note, there is some extreme homosexual activity, all of which takes place between teenagers. In one scene, two teenage guys can be heard in the next room having sex. Both Kathryn and Sebastian have very dirty mouths, and in several scenes they exchange graphic sexual dialogue. Graphic sexual dialogue, incestuous implications, blatant homosexual conduct, and the portrayal of bad attitudes from several bad teenagers destroy this teen film.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Miramax Films