...until you see "Dangerous Liasons". Otherwise, you won't see how hilariously ironic this version is. The two movies are exactly the same. All the characters even have the same names. The story is worthy of an episode of "Jerry Springer". It's a story about sex, back-stabbing and mind games.

The original had a first rate cast (Michelle Pfeiffer, John Malkovich, Glenn Close), Oscar-winning costumes, gorgeous sets and brilliant direction. It was on critics' top ten lists; it was even nominated for Best Picture. It's probably regarded as one of the best films of the 80's.

So many people hated "Cruel Intentions". They've said things like "weird" and "sleazy". I didn't hear anyone saying "Dangerous Liasons" was weird and sleazy. One film is about adults in the era of the French Revolution; the other is about teens in 90's Manhattan. Only the setting seems to change people's opinions.

Screenwrite Kumble puts a mirror up to our perceptions of what's suspenseful and entertaining and makes them seem, well, weird and sleazy.

Selma Blair steals almost the whole movie away from Sarah Michelle Gellar as the brain dead Cecile. Her scenes are so hilarious, you think she must be trying not to laugh. Ryan Phillipe is almost as good as Malkovich, but not quite. His character, Sebastian Valmont, is almost too sympathetic a character.

This film came out during the whole teen-movie craze a couple years ago, and it's easy to lump this one in with the others, but it's far more clever and funny than all of them.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday evening