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      The Rules of Attraction

      2002, Comedy/Drama, 1h 50m

      142 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

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      Critics Consensus

      A tiresome movie about unsympathetic college kids engaging in self-destructive behaviors. Read critic reviews

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      Movie Info

      Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "Rules" centers around Partrick Bateman's younger brother and his college friends bizarre mating rituals that mix sex, drugs, music and mayhem in a kaleidoscopic story about three students entangled in a curiously surreal romantic triangle...

      • Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content|Violent Images)

      • Genre: Comedy, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Roger Avary

      • Producer: Greg Shapiro

      • Writer: Bret Easton Ellis, Roger Avary

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $6.5M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Lionsgate Films

      • Production Co: Kingsgate Films

      • Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

      • Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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      News & Interviews for The Rules of Attraction

      Critic Reviews for The Rules of Attraction

      Audience Reviews for The Rules of Attraction

      • Apr 13, 2013

        Bashing "The Rules of Attraction" because its characters are shallow and unlikable is missing the point; they're narcissistic, amoral, worthless beings because that's precisely what the film is all about. It's the cinematic equivalent of holding a mirror up to half of this country's population, and granted, some elements are exaggerated, but that comes with the territory. As well, "The Rules of Attraction" is just plain original filmmaking, and even if its themes of nihilism and moral turpitude are hard to stomach, there's no denying that it's a powerful piece of work.

        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 28, 2013

        Paul Denton: I feel like my life lacks forward momentum, ya know. "There Are No Rules" The Rules of Attraction was a very disappointing movie for me. Not because it was really bad or poorly made, but because it never was able to get its point across in a way that was satisfying. Along the way, the film has some interesting commentary and dark humor, but the message is lost. I haven't read the book, but I'm guessing that the movie left out something that was vitally important in getting the message across clearly.  This follows a love triangle at Camden University, where rich, young men and women go to party, do drugs, and have sex. I think classes go on there too, but it doesn't seem like many of the characters really give a shit. The love triangle is between Sean, Paul, and Lauren. Sean is a part-time drug dealer who falls in love with Lauren. Paul is a bisexual, who used to date Lauren and now has a thing for Sean. Lauren is a virgin, who is waiting for her boyfriend to come back from Europe, but also wants to lose her virginity. As far as college movies go, this one is completely different. It's dark, it's odd, and it all seems very hateful. There's no sympathy for the characters which isn't something that has ever made me hate a movie, and it doesn't make me hate this one. What made this a disappointment for me was that it had such promise the whole time, and then we get to the end and I'm just left confused at what the actual point is.  This is an entertaining movie that has some good things too say and some not so good things to say. In the end though I was left wanting more from it and it looks like that is the general response from most viewers. I'm not going to say to pass on it because it really isn't a bad movie, but I reserve myself from recommending it also. 

        Super Reviewer
      • Oct 23, 2012

        Despite the great soundtrack, decent performances and expert direction, this film based on Bret Easton Ellis feels a bit sterile, depicting with clever irony the moral decline of our society but not as effective in making us relate to its shallow, unlikable characters.

        Super Reviewer
      • Aug 25, 2012

        After watching this, I wanted to shave off my skin, blow my own brains out, then sit in a cold shower hugging my knees. James Van Der Beek is delightfully skeevy, and it was nice seeing gruff and comparatively aged Ian Somerhalder from "The Vampire Diaries" all young and cherub-cheeked. Hilarious against-type cameos from Fred Savage and Eric Stoltz.

        Super Reviewer

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