Cruel Intentions

The film "Cruel Intentions," directed by John Hughes, is a fast-paced glimpse into the lives of New York yuppies whose entire existence revolves around money, power, sex, and drugs. Hughes' direction for the movie concentrates on those who prey on innocence and will stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions. The story centers on Sebestian, played by Ryan Phillipe, whose main intention in life is to sleep with, and ruin the reputations of, girls whom he labels "Manhattan's insipid debutantes." Using his good looks, charm and vast wealth, he manipulates the naпve ladies found in his elite private school, Manchester Prep, as easily as a ten year-old boy manipulates Tetris pieces on his Game Boy. Phillipe is perfect for the part. He executes Sebestian's dry humor and wry wit flawlessly. His raw good looks and style captivates every room he enters, not to mention the fact that he has no problem whatsoever wearing the threads of those meticulous Armani outfits with such class that Prince William could take notes. However, Sebestian holds a burning flame for his cunning step-sister Katherine, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. She is well aware of Sebestian's forbidden desire and, in her own conniving way, uses it to bait Sebestian and make him her own puppet. Gellar also plays her part right on cue. She brings Katherine to life, emphasizing her snobby accent and fake goodiness, while all the while snorting cocaine from her misconceiving rosary that she wears around her neck. By being student-body president and Miss Popularity of the school, she gives potential students fake advice and deceivingly assures their mothers that there are in the best of hands at Manchester Prep. Scenes shift and the story kicks in after introducing Reese Witherspoon as Annette, the sweet virgin who takes pride in her stout chastity. Her father is the new Headmaster-elect at the posh Manchester Prep, and she moves to New York from Kansas with him to continue high school. Witherspoon approaches her character nearly too innocently and with an overpowering negative attitude towards Sebestian, one that is obviously seen through as a secret lust for him and the immoral life he leads. This hesitant but apparent chemistry may be somewhat connected to the fact that the two are married in reality. Hughes also lets her be won by the "bad boy" too easily. To be a woman who has followed a particular honor code her entire