Annette Hargrove

"Never Fall in Love"

Cruel Intentions is a film based on the French novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Laclos. Annette Hargrove is not only the new-girl in town, but she is also the Headmaster’s daughter and has taken a pledge of virginity until she marries.The film is centered around a bet that Sebastian, a mischievous teenager, makes with his step-sister Kathryn. Sebastian believes that he can get her in bed and make her break her promise. However, after weeks spent seducing Annette, Sebastian finds himself falling for her.

Annette’s experiences throughout the film prove to have significant influence over her growth in character. She enters New York City as a young and naïve girl who believes that she knows exactly what she stands for. It is only through her summer spent with Sebastian that she comes to find out what it truly means to experience life.

The following is a video of the movie trailer:

Joe Purdy - The City

The City Keeps on Going

The Beginning of Something New: This song represents Annette’s arrival to the city and the excitement of exploring something new. Annette does not know anyone in this town and she has only heard rumors about Sebastian, a guy in her high school who has a reputation of sleeping with lots of girls. She is shy and reserved but eventually opens up and allows Sebastian to learn about her. It shows all kinds of emotions that Annette feels when she arrives to her new home. You can hear anticipation, excitement, nerves, and also a kind of solidarity. With everything going on around her, Annette is a firm believer in her faith and her morals. This is the point in the story that Annette is young, independent, and inexperienced.

Instrumental: There is a lot going on in this song. It begins with a steady guitar pattern and a voice that sounds soothing and calm. The guitar begins to sound like a clock ticking and eventually a tambourine and drums join in the background. The bass is also very loud. As the piano kicks in, it is easy to tell that the song sounds “busy” and represents the hustle and bustle that is going on around Annette.

Ben Folds - The Luckiest

An Act of Love: This song represents the moment that Annette feels herself give into love. She breaks her pledge of virginity and experiences what it means to be with someone else. She and Sebastian have gone through a lot together and he convinces her that she shouldn't run away from something that is standing right in front of her -- their mutual love.

Instrumental: She is delicate like the piano at the beginning of the song. The anticipation builds as she is nervous as to what it will be like, but she is also comfortable and in love. The day before, Sebastian accused Annette of being a hypocrite for “preaching about waiting to find true love but refusing to act upon it when it was sitting right in front of her. I think this song encapsulates the moment that Annette lets go of her inhibition. The combination of piano and strings in this music give it the perfect balance of serenity and desire.

John Legend - Sun Comes Up

But this thing's more than physical I'll free your mind and I'll bless your soul"

Nothing Can Go Wrong: This song really captures Annette’s emotions immediately after she sleeps with Sebastian for the first time. Even though she has broken her pledge of virginity and fallen in love, she is on top of the world. She experiences what it means to fully trust someone. The only thing she wants is to be able to stay with Sebastian forever.

Instrumental: The song begins with a tambourine and a guitar. These are two very soft instruments put together in a way that sounds carefree and light-hearted. As the refrain begins, there is a “twang” that exemplifies the happiness that Annette feels and the love she believes she has found. Toward the end of the song it becomes more personal and serious as the guitar fades and the singer sounds as though he is longing and desiring for something. This song is perfect for the morning after Annette has experienced her “first time” and truly feels whole and content.

Rachmaninoff

Loss:When Sebastian is struck by a car, Annette lies on the ground with him in her arms. In these last moments, the viewer can understand just how much they meant to each other. This music is perfect to describe her emotions and reaction to the situation.

Instrumental: The deep and dark chords at the beginning represent the initial fear and dread of the situation. As it slowly picks up speed, it is as though she is almost fearing the worst and hoping to be wrong. At 1:47 minutes into the song, her tears begin to fall. She is filled with anger, panic, dread, and hate. She is confused and heartbroken. She yells out to the crowd for help, she pleads for him to make it, and her insides feel as though they are going to rip out. Notice that the same chords from the beginning of the song are replayed, only with great strength and power – as though it was slow-motion in the beginning and now everything has come into reality. The music dramatically slows as she goes into acceptance. She understands what has happened, and she is lost.

Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion

“You’re a coward”

Earth, Wind and Fire - September

Live, Life, Love: Annette Hargrove experiences life. She experiences what it means to love, to be loved, and to lose. Throughout all the bumps and bruises, she remains well-rooted and believes in what she stands for. This song is a summary of Annette’s summer spent with Sebastian. The music reminds me of the scene with her and Sebastian riding in the convertible. She has discovered what it means to “live” and she doesn’t regret anything that she’s done. The uplifting tone and the steady back beat identify with Annette’s feelings when she looks back and understands what she has gained from all of her experiences.