11. Cruel Intentions

We’re investigating a supremely entertaining work of garbage this week and, honestly, thank goodness—we needed some laughter around here. CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999) has it all: one of the most despicable romantic heroes in teen film history, ~tension~ between step siblings, a perfect Sarah Michelle Gellar performance, and a Counting Crows needle drop that offends Maggie but reverts Marin into a sentimental tween. We rant, we cackle, we reflect, we put this movie in conversation with some of the most influential art ever made (because this is our show and we do what we want). Enjoy!    

 

Secondary texts referenced:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018) dir. Madeleine Perry and John Olb

“Introduction to Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Alfred Mac Adam (Barnes & Noble Classics edition) 

“Pure Heroines” by Jia Tolentino (from Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion)