Cruel Intentions (1999)

Cruel Intentions (1999) emerges from the shadows of Roger Vadim’s French flick Les Liaisons dangereuses (1959) with Gerard Phillipe; the Stephen Frears period piece Dangerous Liaisons (1988) with Keanu Reeves; and Miloš Forman’s Valmont (1989) with Colin Firth. Like its predecessors, this R rated movie is based on the 1782 novel “Les Liaisons dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Yet what sets Cruel Intentions apart from the pack is that it changes the setting from 18th century France to modern-day New York. Here, a group of wealthy high schoolers entertain themselves by playing literal head games. Bubbling with sensuality, the nubile cast features Sarah Michelle Gellar, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid, and Ryan Phillipe. As the cad Sebastian Valmont, the latter actor seduces Annette (Reese Witherspoon) with his cunning words and Cecile (Selma Blair) with his cunnilingus tongue. Under the direction of Roger Kumble, there’s a lot of kissing and implied sex in this romantic dramedy which offers shirtless views of Greg McConnell (Eric Mabius) and Ronald Clifford (Sean Patrick Thomas) in their briefs. The movie also includes Christine Baranski, Louise Fletcher, Swoosie Kurtz, and Mr. Philippe’s flesh. The hottie steams up the screen while scrubbing up his toned torso and bare butt in the shower. No wonder this pic was a box office hit — spawning the 2000 prequel Cruel Intentions 2 (also known as Manchester Prep) with Amy Adams and the sequel Cruel Intentions 3 (2004) starring Kerr Smith. Since then, we’ve been waiting with masturbated breath for Cruel Intentions 4-play!