Rich Kids At It Again. (More sex, drugs, and rock n roll)
Written: Mar 19 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting concepts, and that Ellis appeal.
Cons: Lauren wasn't what she could have been.
The Bottom Line: If you enjoyed American Psycho and Less Than Zero, then you'll be entertained by The Rules of Attraction.
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| joecooper's Full Review: The Rules of Attraction |
The Rules of Attraction is the much anticipated film adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name. A romantic thriller, it tracks the hidden desires of a small group of privileged college students, and unleashes all the dark thrills audiences have come to expect from Ellis-inspired films. Fans of American Psycho and Less Than Zero will no doubt enjoy the latest offering immensely.
Although under the strict control of director Roger Avary, it’s clear that Bret Easton Ellis is the creative force behind The Rules of Attraction. The film is another of Ellis’s trademark tours through the amoral side of human nature, as it exists within affluent American society. Similarly to Less Than Zero, the Rules of Attraction features late-teens struggling and then succumbing to hard drugs and harder sex, and, as with American Psycho, the lead character is a Bateman. Rather than Patrick Bateman and his serial killing ways, brother-of-the-beast Sean and his own brand of depravity are on display in The Rules of Attraction.
Life’s simple yet exciting for the students of Camden College; an exclusive New England liberal arts university. With all of their basic needs met, courtesy of wealthy parents, they’re left to explore any and all available sensory pleasures. To be expected, sex and drugs have taken precedence over more innocent pursuits. Included in the privileged class at Camden are Sean (James Van Der Beek), Lauren (Shannyn Sossamon), and Paul (Ian Somerhalder). However, unlike most of their fun-seeking colleagues, they have dark secrets that threaten to tear their comfortable lives apart.
The cast of fresh-faced actors are well suited to the film’s 1980s college setting, and are very convincing in their roles as spoilt rich kids. In particular, Van Der Beek performs admirably as the smooth and devious Sean Bateman; the film’s driving character. He goes to extraordinary lengths to shed his wholesome Dawson’s Creek persona and successfully deliver his career’s most sinister role to date. To guarantee the break with the past, the director demands a scene featuring Van Der Beek perched on the toilet, as well as some very unflattering facial close-ups.
Somerhalder, as the young Paul who hides his sexual confusion behind a façade of worldliness, is also worthy of praise. Bisexuality is relatively uncharted territory for Hollywood, and Somerhalder has excelled as somewhat of a pioneer. However, Sossamon, as Lauren, appears to flounder in her more difficult scenes. Jessica Biel, who stars mostly on her back as Lauren’s wanton roommate, may have proven a better casting choice.
Director Roger Avary has excelled in raising The Rules of Attraction above the status of just another bland romantic thriller for teens. Avary’s gift as a director is his ability to immerse the audience into the world portrayed on screen. In much the same way that he delivered the audience into the seedy underworld of Paris in Killing Zoe, he hauls the viewers of The Rules of Attraction almost physically through the hedonistic world of sex and drugs around Camden College. Such is Avary’s emphasis on audience immersion, he gambled with the story structure. The film begins in the throws of a climactic party, and then sets about explaining how the characters got there. Although the technique is not uncommon, it is risky. Fortunately, Avary has used the technique particularly well.
The soundtrack for The Rules of Attraction acts as a pulse, and enhances many of the film’s vital scenes. Along with the custom-made instrumental pieces by soundscape masters tomandandy, are tracks by The Cure, Blondie, and Erasure. To give the compilation a final quirky touch, there’s also an interesting tune by super-model Milla Jovovich. The film’s soundtrack is certainly memorable, and it works to the film’s advantage.
The Rules of Attraction avoids being stereotyped as a lightweight teen movie thanks to its pervasive quality. From the skills of the story’s original creator, through to the director’s and cast’s attention to detail, all of the ingredients combine to make this one of the most entertaining films of the year. It’s well deserving of four and a half stars.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
joecooper
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Reviews written: 120
Trusted by: 57 members
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Aging whippersnapper and freelance journo.
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