CRUEL INTENTIONS 2: MANCHESTER PREP
US, 2000, 85 minutes, Colour.
Robin Dunne, Amy Adams, Mimi Rogers.
Directed by Roger Kumble.
Cruel Intentions 2: Manchester Prep was written by the writer-director of Cruel Intentions. Cruel Intentions was a contemporary adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons, set in a wealthy school. The original Dangerous Liaisons, an 18th century moral fable about sexuality and corruption, was filmed in the 60s with Jeanne Moreau by Roger Vadim. Stephen Frears’ celebrated version starred John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was made at the same time by Milos Forman under the title Valmont with Colin Firth and Meg Tilley.
This brief film is a basic rerun of the skeletal plot of Dangerous Liaisons. It is a prequel, showing Stephen Valmont going to the wealthy Manchester Prep, indicating his seedy past, his manipulative attitude, but his genuinely falling in love with the headmaster's daughter. It does not prepare us for Cruel Intentions where Ryan Philippe portrayed Stephen. He and Robin Dunne are physically very different. However, Amy Adams is very close to Sarah Michelle Geller for the part of Kathryn. In fact, this film shows us the corrupt Kathryn and her manipulation of people's lives, her wealthy arrogance, her incomprehension about other people's ways of life.
The film has a twist at the end where the headmaster's daughter, seemingly the sweetest girl on campus, turns out to be an ally of Kathryn and has joined her in corrupted Sebastian. This gives motivation for his behaviour in Cruel Intentions. However, it comes so near the end and so quickly that it doesn't have the full dramatic impact that it might. In fact, the screenplay is often sketchy, introducing characters and not following through, for example the teacher that Kathryn seduces and whom she blackmails, the gay teacher who appears momentarily and then is not seen again.
The film leaves a nasty taste because of its picture of manipulation, cruelty in people so young - and the prospect of what they will do as adults.
1. The film as a prequel to Cruel Intentions? Looking at the film in the light of Cruel intentions? Anticipating its characters and themes.
2. The popularity of Dangerous Liaisons, the French version, Stephen Frears’ version and its popularity, Valmont? The adaptation to the high school setting with Cruel Intentions? The perennial themes of manipulation and corruption?
3. The school, wealthy homes, the atmosphere of affluence? The scenes of New York City? Musical score?
4. The focus on Sebastian, his role in Cruel Intentions, leading to his death? His attitude towards his father, the remarriage, the discussion, alienation, going to the yacht and finding his father with the young woman? His attitude towards Kathryn's mother, her absence, the massage? His relationship with Kathryn, getting to know her, the antagonism, provocation, the shower, her getting his file? In himself, the possibility of a change? Meeting Danielle, their encounters, her sweetness, the bookshop, the outings, phone calls, the kiss? His examining himself, changing? With the servants and playing cards with them, Kathryn's outburst? The build-up to his declaration to Danielle? The twins in the shower? The truth and his being disillusioned? Going off with the two girls - and into a future of corrupting others? A credible character?
5. Kathryn, her wealth, her stories about being isolated in the mansion? Her mother, her hold over her stepfather, dictating what he should do for her mother? At school, the speech, the awkward girl and the bubble gum? Her meeting with the students, the antipathy towards losers, the ousting of the chef? Her friendships? Her spurning of the young girl, taking her to the club, the vomiting, wanting to corrupt her? Being outwitted by her dumb attitudes and ingenuousness? Mocking Danielle? Angry with the servants playing cards with Sebastian, her discussion with the Cambodian servant and her ignorance? The build-up to the end, the truth about Danielle?
6. Danielle, her relationship with her father, the headmaster, working in the bookstore, the encounters with Sebastian, her wariness, the kiss, running away, the phone calls, the outings? His declaration? Her ambiguous behaviour, semi-seductive? The truth and the revelation of her corruption? The irony of their discussion in class about good and evil and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
7. Sebastian's father, wealthy, with the woman, dominated by Kathryn? His stepmother, her wealth, inviting the mother and daughter to the meal, raising money for the school?
8. The headmaster, love for his daughter? The other members of the staff, the young teacher seduced by Kathryn and having to obey her whims? Her ineffectual advance to the gay teacher? The atmosphere of the school?
9. The ingenuous student, nervous, the bubble gum, going to the club, being sick, Danielle tutoring her, her believing everything about sex? Her photography and drawing? Her humiliating Kathryn in public? At the home with her mother giving the money and trying to get into society?
10. A moral fable - how effective, or indulging in the themes that it was attacking?
