The movie theater showing "Rules of Attraction" was full of "American Pie"-aged teens looking for a good laugh and quick shots of bare flesh. And why shouldn't it be? The title and the trailers all point to it being that type of a movie.
The movie, directed by Roger Avary and based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, was a raw and gritty exploration of college relationships. By adding drug habits, homosexuality and loads of booze, the recipe for an intense ride is complete.
The movie begins at the end of the story and then advances four months with the action playing out until the beginning of the story is reached. In order to show the backwards motions, Avary adds numerous reverse film shots, which are cleverly used for awhile and help to get the audience in tune with the reverse in time. However, after a while the trick loses its fun and becomes gimmicky.
The plot revolves around three characters: Sean (James Van Der Beek), Lauren, (Shannyn Sossamon) and Paul (Ian Somerhalder). The love triangle between these characters indirectly becomes the driving force of the movie.
The acting in the movie is surprising. The actors each did an excellent job with their characters, especially Van Der Beek. Known for being a teen "heartthrob," Van Der Beek plays a sleazy drug dealer and is even frightening at times.
The cinematography is also wonderfully crafted; the shots and camera angles give the movie a bizarre sense of reality. Just like in life, the views and angles are not perfect. There are also many special effects in the film. While each effect is rather subtle, they aid in telling the story.
The movie's overall tone is dark and hopeless, but there are some funny moments. When Paul, a young gay man and his old "friend" Richard (or Dick as he keeps asking people to call him) get together while on a trip with their mothers, the two end up dancing and prancing around the room to George Michael's "Faith" in a moment of well-placed hysteria.
The movie ends abruptly, which may agitate some moviegoers who are used to the normal clear-cut ending. Many audience members asked questions like, "That's it?" and "Hey wait a minute! What happens?" Reading Ellis' book before attending the film will help viewers avoid this situation.
Avary did a good job of keeping true to the book. There was no sugar coating or "teenifying" of the plot, characters or situations. This movie is good for anyone who is in a relationship or ever was in one, and will probably make you say, "Thank God that isn't what I had to go through." "Rules" delivers a blow that will remain with you for a good while.
