The Rules of Attraction (2002)

The ultimate film about college life

I just watched this movie, and I have to say that I really, really liked it, although I can understand why others don't. This is a cult film, to be sure, and it requires a certain sensibility to see through to the end--the film's blunt force trauma approach to Gen Y college kids will leave lots of viewers cold, unable to muster any feeling for the film's characters. But others will enjoy the comedy of it all. For me, the movie clicked from the very first scene. I totally got what was going on and what the filmmakers were trying to say because of my own college experiences. I knew all these bastards, and I appreciated that they weren't really that sympathetic. This movie really is the definitive movie about the most prevalent form of college life that on sees today, so much so that there seems no point of ever making another.

All of this is not to say that the film is perfect, even if you share the film's sensibility. All of the scenes featuring Sean (James Van Der Beek) interacting with the drug dealer were a real drag on the movie. The actor who played the latter evidently never learned that good acting doesn't necessarily mean MORE acting. And although Van Der Beek does a surprisingly good job as Sean Bateman (my expectations were, to put it kindly, low) there are a few uneven moments. Generally, though, the acting is pretty good, and the movie is a technical marvel.

If you're not convinced so far, here are five of my favorite moments from the film. If you like them, consider watching it.

1. Sean has lost a chance at being with the woman he has convinced himself he's in love with, so he decides to kill himself. First, he tries to hang himself with a phone cord. The light fixture can't hold his weight, so he falls to the ground. Then he tries to slash his wrists with a razor, but it's a face shaver and he is again unsuccessful. Finally, he tries to overdose on pills, but all he has are what appear to be cold pills, which he takes a bunch of and chases with off-brand NyQuil. It's a pretty funny take on emo-style hysterics.

2. Sean (Ian Somerhalder of LOST) is late to meet Sean for dinner when one of his friends overdoses. He's completely nonplussed as they drive to the hospital, dismissing the crisis by saying things like, "Freshmen don't OD." He doesn't even bother to conceal his boredom when the guy seems to die (but doesn't).

3. "I only did it with her because I'm in love with you." Sure...

4. The restaurant scene. "Well, Richard..." "I'm DICK!" "Well, Dick, what are you studying?" Much of the rest of the dialogue is unprintable. The scene is the key to the entire movie: entitlement, resentment of authority, lack of control--it's all there. And hilarious.

5. The scene where Sean's secret admirer (who we had seen several times before) commits suicide. In between all the irony and sleaze, it's a genuinely beautiful and sad moment.

The Rules of Attraction is more than the sum of its parts, though. It makes an effective brief for what its subject group is like, and it does not exactly let them off the hook when it comes to moral terms. It is not, of course, for everyone, but if you're still reading this it might be worth a viewing.

P. S. Van Der Beek also punches Jessica Biel in the face. So, there's that. May 11, 2008

For Bret Ellis Lovers

As a huge fan of Bret Ellis' novels, I was especially pleased with this theatrical interpretation. For those who love American Psycho and appreciate movies that hold true to Ellis' work, this is a must-see to be sure. April 10, 2008

Ellis and Avery are NOT for everyone but this is a PERFECT MATCH

Bret Easton Ellis is a writer that has NO middle ground. You either dislike immediately and not understand what all the fuss is about or you let yourself get drawn into what he is trying to display and go along for the ride. Rules of Attraction may be the least of his three works brought to the big screen but it may have translated the best with the direction of Roger Avary. It is also entertaining to watch beloved TV actors and actresses take roles that are worlds apart from their TV personas. Fans usually HATE the career choices but it is nice to see actors break from what is expected by the massses. This is NOT Shakespeare, has more shock value than merit, but it is still very enjoyable. If you read Ellis's novels you will see that they are an accurate although embellished account of the particular time and enviroment he is trying to illustrate. To nit-pick his work is to NOT get the message. These characters DO EXIST in the real world, if not as individuals, then as parts of many individuals. They are a reflection of the time and place he is describing not necessarily any particular PERSONS. The plot development is SECONDARY. This movie is a glimpse into a world that many people dont know and will NEVER experience but it DOES EXIST. There is no fiction in that.

There are Sean Batemans in this world. Rich Kids in school on Mommy and Daddy's dollar dealing drugs to their equally wealthy and spoiled classmates. There are Lauren Hyndes in this world. Virginal college girls saving themselves for their true love who himself is frolicking his way across Europe with not a thought in his mind of his celibate girlfriend at home. There are Paul Dentons in this world. Young kids that use the college years to experiment and try to find out what they want emotionally and sexually for themselves.

This move is to be enjoyed by the viewer and not to be used as a warning label or a cautionary tale. These worlds exist and cannot be changed. Sit back and enjoy the voyeuristic view. Several scenes are shot in just this manner. The Victor Romp retold by him in the diner is CLASSIC. Worth the price of admission or rental or time spent but so many more scenes are also well done. Many scenes are done so the viewer almost feels guilty watching the action unfold. From attempted suicides, to dorm room date rate, to misread sexual signals, we are treated to a train wreck of instances in these characters lives.

In the end we may not love any of these characters but there is usually one or more that we feel genuinely sorry for and that is the emotion that Bret Easton Ellis and Roger Avary are able to produce from many viewers. April 9, 2008

Hmmm....

I saw this movie a few years back and enjoyed it. I like how it tunes in to true atomsphere. Dawson of Dawson's Creek could have been left out though. Pycho-babble and thug-willy drug pusher...? NAH! Add this to your "hard hitting independent" list. November 10, 2007

Wow!

People who are looking for a feel good story are not going to get it in this film. And that is exactly what makes it great -- because life is seldom this way. The characters are not likable and there are no happy endings. The story is told masterfully, and I envy the talent of the screenwriter/director.

I just finished watching the movie, got a drink of water, and watched it again to make sure I didn't miss a thing. Brilliant. Bravo! July 8, 2007

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