A few years ago I caught "Rules of Attraction" at a friend's house. I was mesmerized by the images I saw and repulsed by other images. But most of all, I was fascinated with my reaction more than the film itself.
I purchased the DVD recently and watched it again. And a similar response: I don't know if I love it or hate it, but I do know I really want to watch the film again. Which, I guess, is a compliment.
The story is that of Sean, Paul and Lauren (as well as many other minor characters) who attend Camden University, and have a very twisted love triangle amongst themselves and simultaneously involving other people. The overall theme is you can never really know anyone and the one you love is not necessarily the one who loves you. Oh, and Sean is the brother of Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho". Although this doesn't matter much.
Some things about the film are annoying. Mainly, the director's obsession with showing things in reverse. There's a point to it, and I respect the way he uses this gimmick to have different stories overlap, but the reverse filming is overdone and becomes little more than a waste of time. I also greatly dislike the end. I won't reveal what it is, but I will say it leaves you feeling like you bought a toy with the batteries missing.
Besides this, the film has three main things that I think are appealing. One: The characters of the drug dealer and "Dick" are both great and provide necessary comic relief. Two: The music is used in such a way that you may never hear the songs the same way again (George Michael's "Faith", Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" and whoever sings "All By Myself"). Three: using the stars of Dawson's Creek and 7th Heaven (basically clean shows) to show intense drug use, suicide, gay sex, masturbation, gang bangs and profane language. This third thing is probably the biggest appeal.
Also, Boone from "Lost" stars... before being in "Lost". Although in this film he's gay and in Lost he's a sniveling boot-licker. So I guess he's been typecast as a feminine character and not really much different in these roles.
I guess I recommend this film, even though my gut reaction is to not recommend it to anyone. At least I can say this: Sean Bateman is much less annoying in this movie than he is in the novel "American Psycho". Rock and roll.
I purchased the DVD recently and watched it again. And a similar response: I don't know if I love it or hate it, but I do know I really want to watch the film again. Which, I guess, is a compliment.
The story is that of Sean, Paul and Lauren (as well as many other minor characters) who attend Camden University, and have a very twisted love triangle amongst themselves and simultaneously involving other people. The overall theme is you can never really know anyone and the one you love is not necessarily the one who loves you. Oh, and Sean is the brother of Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho". Although this doesn't matter much.
Some things about the film are annoying. Mainly, the director's obsession with showing things in reverse. There's a point to it, and I respect the way he uses this gimmick to have different stories overlap, but the reverse filming is overdone and becomes little more than a waste of time. I also greatly dislike the end. I won't reveal what it is, but I will say it leaves you feeling like you bought a toy with the batteries missing.
Besides this, the film has three main things that I think are appealing. One: The characters of the drug dealer and "Dick" are both great and provide necessary comic relief. Two: The music is used in such a way that you may never hear the songs the same way again (George Michael's "Faith", Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" and whoever sings "All By Myself"). Three: using the stars of Dawson's Creek and 7th Heaven (basically clean shows) to show intense drug use, suicide, gay sex, masturbation, gang bangs and profane language. This third thing is probably the biggest appeal.
Also, Boone from "Lost" stars... before being in "Lost". Although in this film he's gay and in Lost he's a sniveling boot-licker. So I guess he's been typecast as a feminine character and not really much different in these roles.
I guess I recommend this film, even though my gut reaction is to not recommend it to anyone. At least I can say this: Sean Bateman is much less annoying in this movie than he is in the novel "American Psycho". Rock and roll.