Compare and contrast the two films, Dangerous Liaisons and Cruel Intentions, which are based on the same novel.
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This movie is the perfect depiction of the power of the male ego. It is also a reflection of the cruelty of a woman’s heart once broken.
The book, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, written by Choderlos de Laclos was originally written in epistolary form. This means that the entire book consisted of letters.
Interestingly enough Swoosie Kurtz, who plays Madame de Volange, went on to play Dr. Greenbaum in Cruel Intentions, the modern retelling of Dangerous Liaisons. In both films, Valmont seduces her daughter.
Tagline: In the game of seduction and betrayal, how far will you go?.
Plot Outline: Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar play bickering step-siblings who, together, quietly control much of the social lives of the students in an affluent NY prep school. Phillippe's Sebastian sees himself as a kind of Don Juan, who always gets his woman, while Gellar's Katherine would rather enact revenge on ex-flames and corrupt incoming freshmen. One day, Kathryn and Sebastian, driven by a mutual lust for each other and a love of messing with innocent young people's lives, hatch a nefarious plan, and place a kind of bet. Sebastian is to woo and bed the daughter of the new headmaster, Reese Witherspoon, playing a very adamant virgin with plans to only "wait until marriage,” and if he is able to accomplish this seemingly impossible task, he can have his way with Gellar - the one woman whom he KNOWS he can not have. If he is unable to seduce the ice queen, however, Katherine gets his classic Jaguar.
Directed by: Roger Kumble
Writing Credits: Roger Kumble
Genre Drama/Romance
Cast:
Sarah Michelle Gellar: Kathryn Merteuil
Ryan Phillippe: Sebastian Valmont
Reese Witherspoon: Annette Hargrove
Selma Blair: Cecile Caldwell
Louise Fletcher: Helen Rosemond
Swoosie Kurtz: Dr. ReginaGreenbaum
The movie’s running time is 1 hour and 39 minutes.
MTV Movie Awards Won:
Best Female Performance
Best Kiss
Nominated For:
Best Male Performance
Best Villain
Breakthrough Female Performance
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