The Rules of Attraction Blu-ray

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. Read more

I'm not going to divulge into a long winded review about why this film is so powerful. Suffice it to say, it is exemplary of real artistic filmmaking. This is raw, shocking, dark, and realistic yet masterfully pulled down with a sense of tangible gravity. When you have a film depicting such brutal constructs that are surprisingly close to reality, you're bound to offend a few people in the process. Lets face it, life can be a dirty, nasty, foul heathen. Not everything is rainbows and butterflies. The realism gives the film emotional resonance and the cinematography creates a perfectly fitting gritty and sublimely atmospheric set piece that elevates the film to a level of greatness. Highly, highly recommended. Read more

This is one of those movies you can watch over and over. So well orchestrated. Not your typical previous decade teen movies. There's some artistry to human behavior and filming here for sure. It's a very dry humored, ironic, almost satire depiction of a few ppl in college and just the run of things. fully entertaining and very well done. this is not your 14 year old sleepover movie. This is very graphic and vulgar and wide open. Read more

It's been a few years since I've read the Ellis book this film is based on, so I can't really speak to the accuracy of detail, but I can say this film does a pretty good job of capturing the spirit of the original. Since the book is so focused on the internal characters, mainly satires of the students at expensive private liberal arts colleges, it doesn't always transfer super well to the screen, but the actors all do a really good job of showing these bred-to-be-shallow, wanna-be-deep kids. The use of re-wind and split screens is albeit campy, super creative, and something most filmmakers would shy away from. Somehow, it works. The soundtrack has got to be the single best part of the whole film. The Cure, Love and Rockets, Blondie, the Rapture... all seamlessly blended with an original electronic score by Tomandandy. I've been listening to the album on repeat since I finished the movie last night! I absolutely adore this film, but can't give it that last star because just got more out of the book. I know it's a little unfair to judge an adaptation on the original, but surely there could have been some way to get a bit deeper into the characters. (Shorter/fewer sex scenes, maybe? Just saying. There are a lot.) Overall, a film that's a pretty good adaptation of a great book. It's especially fun to watch as a college student, bonus points if you're at a liberal arts school. Remember as with all Ellis: it is a satire/commentary, not a glorification. Read more

I love this movie. It's definitely not perfect, yet I remain transfixed by nearly every scene. In a way the film's messiness works for it because everything that takes place is so messed up. The music is atmospheric, the cinematography makes unassuming locations gorgeous, the editing is always interesting and at times jaw-dropping, and the characters are all beautiful deeply flawed charachtures of some of our own darker thoughts. A tragicomedy classic. Read more

I think the main reason I love this movie is because you don't see too many movies like this one. While being a tad comical it digs into the darker side of college life. Of course lots of sex, drugs, and even suicide. It lets you know that college life isn't what movies like Road Trip, Animal House, Old School and others alike would like you to think it is. While those watered down comedies may be fun this is what I wish I saw more of. Just raw harsh realities of being young. James Van Der Beek does an excellent job and finally we can belive that he is capable of being someone other than Dawson. Anyone who loves teen movies like me should definitley check this one out. Read more