Lengthy Island iced tea, please! 20 years after its premiere in 1999, Merciless Intentions nonetheless has followers speaking about its scandalous story line — and dreamy lead Sebastian Valmont.
Within the 90s cult traditional, which is a teen model of the French movie Harmful Liaisons, Sebastian’s (Ryan Phillippe) sultry stepsister Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) challenges him to “deflower” the brand new faculty headmaster’s daughter Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon).
What Sebastian doesn’t count on is to fall in love with Annette and discover himself damaged after she learns the reality in regards to the guess. In the long run, Annette comes out on prime besting Kathryn at her personal recreation earlier than using off into the sundown. Sadly, Sebastian isn’t by her facet — he sacrifices himself to save lots of Annette — however she feels his presence whereas driving his beloved convertible as The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” performs within the background.
“It makes me smile nearly each time. Regardless of the place I’m,” Phillippe solely instructed Us Weekly in September 2021 of the enduring closing scene playlist. “And there’s been a few occasions in my life the place I’ve been, like, at a gasoline station or no matter. And I’ll abruptly hear the track from throughout the way in which. After which there’ll be a gaggle of individuals waving to me. Like, they put the track on a function as a result of they noticed me there.”
The Massive Sky actor, who acquired engaged to Witherspoon whereas filming the drama, added: “However to need to be related to a track, there could possibly be means worse songs to be related to. You understand, it’s a very nice track nonetheless. And so once I hear these strings begin up, it does, it nonetheless makes me blissful. So it makes me smile.” (Phillippe and Witherspoon tied the knot in 1999 however known as it quits seven years later.)
Along with Sebastian and Annette’s twisted love story, Merciless Intentions highlighted the key lives of a gaggle of Higher East prep faculty college students, together with their intercourse lives, mischievous actions and raunchy extracurricular jaunts.
Some of the iconic scenes got here when Kathryn teaches Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair) kiss whereas utilizing her as a ploy in her recreation. Plus, Cecile wants tips that could win over her music instructor (Sean Patrick Thomas).
“Selma’s an excellent kisser,” Gellar solely instructed Us in February 2021. “I imply, I’ll let you know, it’s simply gentle [lips]. She smells nice.”
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star confessed: “Kissing a lady on digicam is means higher as a result of while you kiss a man, all of your make-up rubs off after which in between it’s a must to get these touch-ups. However [when] it’s a lady it’s, like, you’re good to go.”
Trying again, the I Know What You Did Final Summer season actress instructed Us she knew the movie could be “iconic” however she didn’t know the way profitable it could change into.
“Clearly, we knew folks could be excited by it, however I learn that script and I used to be so determined to be part of it,” Gellar added. “And I’ve cherished it endlessly. I’ve seen each iteration, each Broadway model.”
Scroll all the way down to see what the solid of Merciless Intentions has been as much as since 1999:
