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James Van Der Beek, Ian Somerhalder, Shannyn Sossamon, Jessica Biel, Kip Pardue ... see more see more... , Thomas Ian Nicholas , Kate Bosworth , Fred Savage , Eric Stoltz , Clifton Collins Jr. , Faye Dunaway , Swoosie Kurtz , Ron Jeremy , Paul Williams , Amber Smith , Clare Kramer , Drew Wood , Jay Baruchel , Lucille M. Oliver , Joel Michaely , Eric Szmanda , Kavan Reece , Skyler Stone , Noelle Evans , Anderson Goncalves , Russell Sams , Chase Hampton , Curtis Anderson , Quincey Evans , Theresa Wayman , Colin Bain , Malcolm Galt , Cheyenne Wilbur , Ron Jeremy Hyatt , Hayley Keenan , Holly Hollywood , Alaina , Trisha Upton , Michael Ralph

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 ... read more read more...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, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

49,022 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

136 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Roger Avary

Release Date: October 11, 2002

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DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003

Stats: 3,348 reviews

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The Rules of Attraction Shannyn Ian Somerhalder Ian Somerhalder James Van Der Beek The Rules of Attraction RoA teaser poster kip Kip Pardue The Rules of Attraction The Rules of Attraction James Van Der Beek Jessica Biel rules of attraction The Rules of Attraction The Rules of Attraction The Rules of Attraction The Rules of Attraction
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Flixster Reviews (3,348)

  • brooklynspo
    May 20, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Yup, that's pretty much how i remember college, AFU

    brook - class of '87
  • hunterjt13
    March 22, 2011
    hunterjt13
    Three college students navigate the perils of courtship all the while not realizing their own shallow natures and inability to understand that their methods are incapable of producing their goals.
    What I like most about Bret Easton Ellis's satires is the way he takes generic conv... read moreentions with which we are all familiar, like the serial killer genre in American Psycho and the college rumpus genre a la Animal House in Rules of Attraction, and uses these basic tropes as fodder for his critiques. Here, we all know these characters before we start the film: Sean is the attractive but troubled player, Paul is a gay man in a straight man's world, and Lauren is the quirky, attractive girl looking for the right guy to lose her virginity to. We've seen this before. But in Ellis's hands, the satiric exaggeration becomes how oppressively shallow each trope/character is. When Sean uses the word "love," we can't help but realize how of his actions belie the seriousness that word deserves. And the line "You will never know me" is so true because there is nothing to know. Ellis's point is that here, in college, where these characters are supposed to be expanding their minds and discovering themselves and their place in the world, they're ultimately merely layering on the lies. It is important to note that the only professor we see asks a student for a blow job -- not exactly the life of learning that parents think they're footing the bill for.
    I also liked Roger Avary's direction. There are moments when the film reverses, sharp cuts, lightning-fast dialogue, and an inventive and effective use of split screen. All of it was consistent with the fast-paced, drug-addled life these characters are living.
    I did think the film slowed down in the second act, and some of the party scenes became more about shock than advancing the story.
    Overall, Rules of Attraction is a valuable satire about college life. If you watch it and like it, you might also want to check out Tom Wolfe's book I Am Charlotte Simmons.
  • stevenecarrier
    February 1, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "The Rules of Attraction", written for the screen and directed by "Pulp Fiction" co-writer Roger Avery and based off Bret Easton Ellis' most energetic novel, is essentially a comedy of manners. This is true satire through and through. It may be an easy target, debauchery among th... read moree upper class is nothing new, but with Avery filtering Ellis' words for the screen it becomes a potent combination. Plus, the picture is just plain fun. Nifty cinematography, a rocking soundtrack and naughty, spirited performances reinforce the themes. It's a rare thing to see a novel adapted to correctly to film, so if you are a fan of Ellis' book or his work as a whole, this is a must-see. I also recommend it to anyone who is in the mood for a saucy and scathing social commentary.
  • 3niR
    October 17, 2010
    3niR
    Jeez, this movie will give you a serious bad impression towards high school. I didn't find the idea that much likable. It was pretty eff-ed up. The rewinding idea was okay for once but not for every time.
  • ythelastman89
    November 16, 2009
    ythelastman89
    One of those movies that somehow got ignored for whatever reason, but is a true masterpiece. All the characters are somewhat tragic and have this apathetic quality to them, but you can't help but love them. I think it's one of those movies that shows people for what the really ar... read moree sometimes, horrible, and it isn't afraid of that.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    This film has been directed brilliantly with some great original techniques but I didn't like the characters or the story. Modern classic? I think not.
  • smith44
    September 21, 2009
    smith44
    What Rules of Attraction is and what Rules of Attraction wanted to be are glaringly different. Indifference is the only emotion one can take away from this cleverly made but totally lacking film.
  • CloudStrife84
    May 18, 2008
    CloudStrife84
    Original, cool and all about love, sex and life in college. I loved this movie's unique style of directing, which felt remarkably fresh and well-thought-through. The actors were great as well and all delivered a solid performance, which I suppose we chiefly have the well-written ... read morescript to thank for. Besides all this, the movie (for reasons that will become evident once you see it) also made me wanna go and out and party all night, which sure earns it a top spot in my book :-)
  • Redlats
    March 18, 2008
    Redlats
    Although I usually like movies where young people are finding themselves, I found this movie to be a bit much.

    Like the plot description says, from beginning to end it has "drugs, blow jobs, pornography, booze, rape, masturbation, beatings, suicide, attempted suicide, faked su... read moreicide, loss of bladder control" and more and I just don't feel things are like that.
  • puffchunk
    October 18, 2007
    puffchunk
    Pretty stupid.

View All The Rules of Attraction Reviews

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
February 11, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Actually I quite enjoyed the movie--but how do I get rid of this awful discharge? Full Review

Peter Travers
November 19, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Ellis' satire, filtered through Avary's harsh lens, is hard to stomach, harder to ignore.

Robert Denerstein
October 18, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

The nonstop artifice ultimately proves tiresome, with the surface histrionics failing to compensate for the paper-thin characterizations and facile situations.

Bob Longino
October 18, 2002
Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The bulk of Rules comes off like a cool-hand poser's at the wheel. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
October 17, 2002
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

A party-hearty teen flick that scalds like acid. Full Review

J. Hoberman
October 15, 2002
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

Avary's crisp adaptation imbues the copious bad sex and general befuddlement of Bret Easton Ellis's solemn, echt '80s Bennington novel with a playfully obnoxious energy that is often funny and ... alm... Full Review

Richard Roeper
October 14, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

I hated this movie. Full Review

Desson Thomson
October 11, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Oddly compelling.

Stephen Hunter
October 11, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Feels more like a walk across campus than a movie.

Peter Howell
October 11, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The Rules Of Attraction is not just a bad movie, it's a profoundly depressing one. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Rules of Attraction Trivia

  • In what movie did James van der beek punch Jessica biel in the face ?  Answer »
  • Name the movie where James Van Der Beek calls himself a vampire  Answer »
  • Which George Michael song can be heard in "The Rules of Attraction". The song is played in a scene where two characters dance in their underwears on a hotel bed.  Answer »
  • What movie is this? Paul: Oh, Jesus, Richard is that you? Dick: It's Dick. And yes.  Answer »
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