Cruel Intentions

The film Cruel Intentions is a narration based on a bet between two step-siblings exploring society's sexual boundaries. We are first introduced to Sebastian, a fifth year high school Senior with no respect for anyone/ thing except his own reputation of sexual conquest. His stepsister Kathryn is, well, as she puts it "I'm the Marsha fucking Brady of the Upper East Side". A quick summary, Sebastian wants to have sex with Annette, the new head master's daughter who wrote a manifesto on why she intends to wait until marriage. Kathryn makes a bet with he that he won't be able to, and spends the rest of the movie trying to corrupt innocent little Cecile who is her ex's new infatuation. Cecile is in love with the cello teacher of a different race, but through Kathryn's temptation is learning the arts of sex from Sebastian. There is a trip up in the end for Sebastian falls in love with Annette which doesn't go over too well with Kathryn and they all bite the dust in the end, (except for maybe Cecile).

Concerning issues learned in class, the film corners in on three particular topics that accurately convey the textual evidence we were presented with. The first is dealing with gender differences and sexual motivation, the different reasons men and women have sex. Communication and sex is also portrayed, who does one talk to about sex. And finally, the film hints at an open double standard declaring it does still exist.

As learned from lecture, men have sex for pleasure; it makes them feel good as it feels good to them. Women have sex to validate their feelings for their partners. Sebastian has sex for his reputation as a conqueror, "I take pleasure in others' misery," is one of his final testimonies. Sleeping around with Manhattan Debutantes builds his repute giving him pleasure. Women in contrast, are having sex for love, (with the exception of Kathryn who is not having sex for love, but still an emotion, revenge). The psychiatrist's daughter is upset because she was tricked into her scandal because "he told me he loved me and I believed him". Through Cecil it is portrayed in a different manner, but leads to the same thing. Kathryn tries to persuade her to learn all she can from Sebastian which is replied with "But I don't love him, I love Ronald." Showing to the core that woman want to have sex for their emotions for their partners. She gives in when she is persuaded that you do it to practice so that she can make Ronald happy. Twisted as it may be, it is still an excuse based on feelings for a lover.

Certain rules apply in film, for instance, there can not a plot with a sexual theme with out sexual communication. As portrayed in this film, communication keeps to what was learned through lecture as well as the Coupling clip, you can engage in sexual activity with a partner, but you talk about it with friends. Kathryn and Cecil openly talk about it throughout the film, the topic of kissing while they are in the park and the topic of oral sex in Cecil's house. Greg the football player hypes up a sexual encounter to his teammates and Blaine has plenty to tell Sebastian concerning his relationship with Greg. There is an instance when Cecil tries to talk to Sebastian about their recent activity, but he quickly becomes annoyed and leaves the room.

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