Freely adapting Les Liaisons Dangereuses, writer/director Kumble relocates the story in the world of privileged Manhattan teens. Rather-too-close step-siblings Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe toy with the lives of others, jeopardizing the virtue of headmaster’s daughter Reese Witherspoon and student Selma Blair (in a scene-stealing performance). The angst and lust lead to blackmail, substance abuse—and worse.