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The Rules Of Attraction (2002)
Released By: LionsGate Entertainment   Rating: N/A   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: LionsGate Entertainment
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: N/A
Director: Roger Avary
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: 2/18/2003
Cast: Faye Dunaway, Jessica Biel, James Van Der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, Clifton Collins Jr., Ian Somerhalder
Published ID: 74871
UPC: 031398822721,
Plot: Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel about the sexual, emotional, and chemical interactions of a group of wealthy and amoral college students is brought to the screen in this adaptation from writer and director Roger Avery. Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek) is a student at Camden College, a well-respected private school on the East Coast. Sean is attracted to Lauren Hynde (Shannyn Sossamon), a high minded and seemingly unapproachable coed, while Lauren is infatuated with Victor (Kip Pardue), a handsome but self-centered ladies' man. Lauren's empty-headed roommate, Lara (Jessica Biel), is also attracted to Victor, while he has no qualms about being involved with both. Lauren used to date affected snob Paul Denton (Ian Somerhalder), but Paul, a bisexual, currently lusts after Sean. Meanwhile, friendly campus drug dealer Rupert (Clifton Collins Jr.) finds a ready market for cocaine among his classmates; Sean, a steady customer, finds himself financially embarrassed and begins dealing drugs to help pay off his debts, while leading Paul on for his ready supply of marijuana. The Rules of Attraction also features Eric Stoltz as Mr. Lance Lawson, Faye Dunaway and Swoosie Kurtz as semi-concerned parents, and Fred Savage as one of Sean's customers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
DVD purchase
Added 10/8/2009

I recieved the dvd in excellent condition, very fast time from order to my door and would definately do business again.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Rules of Attraction
Added 2/4/2009

Rules of Attraction that I ordered was delivered in good time. It is in good physical condition. I haven't yet viewed it so I can't speak of the DVD itself. I am happy with this purchase!
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Tries to hard...
Added 2/2/2009

This movie tries too hard to be negative, empty, and depressing. The movie tried to shock its viewers, but it came across as freshman-year college film class "dark." I was very disappointed.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Great movie
Added 10/9/2008

Interesting look at college-life from the perspective of a few hedonistic students. The book is way better.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
The ultimate film about college life
Added 5/11/2008

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.

1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
DVD purchase
Added 10/8/2009

I recieved the dvd in excellent condition, very fast time from order to my door and would definately do business again.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Rules of Attraction
Added 2/4/2009

Rules of Attraction that I ordered was delivered in good time. It is in good physical condition. I haven't yet viewed it so I can't speak of the DVD itself. I am happy with this purchase!
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Tries to hard...
Added 2/2/2009

This movie tries too hard to be negative, empty, and depressing. The movie tried to shock its viewers, but it came across as freshman-year college film class "dark." I was very disappointed.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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