Reese Witherspoon Ryan Phillippe Movie Overview
The Reese Witherspoon Ryan Phillippe movie legally titled Cruel Intentions is a 1999 American teen romantic drama. The film was produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It stars Reese Witherspoon as Kathryn Merteuil and Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont. The screenplay was written by Roger Kumble, and the director was Roger Kumble. The film is set in Manhattan and follows two privileged high school students who make a wager involving seduction. The movie is widely referenced in discussions about 1990s teen cinema and remains a notable entry in both actors' filmographies. Forbes covered the film's enduring cultural impact.
Cruel Intentions earned mixed reviews from critics upon release but developed a strong cult following over time. The film grossed approximately $76 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $14 million. The cast also included Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, and Joshua Jackson. The movie is frequently cited in rankings of iconic 1990s teen films and is often discussed in articles about the careers of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. Box Office Mojo provides the official box office data.
Cast, Characters, and Production Details
Reese Witherspoon played Kathryn Merteuil, a wealthy and manipulative high school student. Ryan Phillippe portrayed Sebastian Valmont, a charming and rebellious transfer student. The film was produced by New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment. The music supervisor was Trevor Horn, and the original score was composed by Edward Shearmur. The film was shot primarily in New York City and at various locations in Manhattan and Long Island. The production design emphasized the opulent lifestyles of the fictional Upper East Side characters. IMDb lists the full cast and crew credits.
Key Cast Members and Roles
Sarah Michelle Gellar played Cecile Caldwell, the naive new girl targeted by Kathryn's schemes. Selma Blair portrayed the blind girl Cecile, a role that became one of her most recognized early performances. Joshua Jackson played Blaine Tuttle, a kind-hearted friend of Sebastian. The ensemble cast included Swoosie Kurtz as Mrs. Caldwell and Louise Fletcher as Grandma Bunny. The film's dialogue and character dynamics have been analyzed in film studies courses and pop culture retrospectives. The Numbers tracks the film's box office and financial data.
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe Career Context
Reese Witherspoon was already an established actress before Cruel Intentions, having won an Academy Award for Walk the Line in 2005. Ryan Phillippe rose to wider prominence through this role and later starred in films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer. Both actors have continued to work in film and television, with Witherspoon founding Hello Sunshine, a media company focused on female-driven stories. Forbes has reported on Hello Sunshine's business model and acquisitions.