The Rules of Attraction (2003) Based on another of Bret Easton Ellis' misspent-youth novels, The Rules of Attraction follows a shallow drug-dealing student (James Van Der Beek), a cocaine-snorting nympho…
Video Review

The Rules of Attraction (2003)

MPAA Rating: R
Reviewed by Sumeet Bal | Feb 21, 2003
James Van Der Beek, Clifton Collins Jr., ... | TWIST AND SHOUT Clifton Collins Jr. and Van Der Beek bend ''The Rules''
Image credit: The Rules of Attraction: Lynn Alston
TWIST AND SHOUT Clifton Collins Jr. and Van Der Beek bend ''The Rules''

Details Release Date: Feb 18, 2003; Movie Rated: R; Genre: Drama; With: Ian Somerhalder, Shannyn Sossamon and James Van Der Beek; Distributor: Lions Gate Films

Based on another of Bret Easton Ellis' misspent-youth novels, The Rules of Attraction follows a shallow drug-dealing student (James Van Der Beek), a cocaine-snorting nympho (Jessica Biel), and a host of befuddled coed cohorts into a twisted love triangle. But a racy satire of the dramatic minisocieties in a college wasteland gets lost in writer-director Roger Avary's drug-induced haze, graphic exploits, and useless rapid-rewind flashbacks. The high point: watching a predatory himbo (Ian Somerhalder) reconnect with his inner Wham!, prancing in his undies to George Michael's ''Faith.'' And that's not saying much.

Originally posted Feb 18, 2003 Published in issue #696-697 Feb 21, 2003 Order article reprints