The Rules of Attraction (2002)

The incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate.

Director:

Roger Avary

Writers:

Bret Easton Ellis (novel), Roger Avary (screenplay)

Stars:

James Van Der Beek, Ian Somerhalder, Shannyn Sossamon

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Van Der Beek	...	Sean Bateman
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Lauren Hynde
Jessica Biel	...	Lara
Kip Pardue	...	Victor
Kate Bosworth	...	Kelly
Ian Somerhalder	...	Paul Denton
Joel Michaely	...	Raymond
Jay Baruchel	...	Harry
Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Mitchell
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Rupert
Clare Kramer	...	Candice
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Denton
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Mrs. Jared
Russell Sams	...	Richard
Colin Bain	...	Donald

Storyline

Camden College. Sean Bateman is the younger brother of depraved Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman. He's also a drug dealer who owes a lot of money to "fellow" dealer Rupert Guest, as well as a well-known womanizer, for he sleeps with nearly half of the female population on campus. Lauren Hynde is, technically, a virgin. She's saving herself for her shallow boyfriend, Victor Johnson, who's left the States to backpack across Europe. Her slutty roommate, Lara, has the hots for Victor as well. Paul Denton, who used to date Lauren, is openly bisexual and attracted to Mitchell Allen, who's dating Candice to prove to Paul that he's not gay. Sean loves Lauren. Paul loves Sean. And Lauren may love Sean.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | lesbian interest | sex | public nudity | female rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

Past Perfect. Present Tense. Future Uncertain.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, drug use, language and violent images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film on mute in Fred Savage's room is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920).

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Goofs

When Sean Bateman opens the first love letter from his secret admirer, he looks down at his lap in response to the silver star confetti before it actually empties from the envelope.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lauren: and it's a story that might bore you, but you don't have to listen, because I always knew it was going to be like that.

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Crazy Credits

The credits run backwards, starting with the disclaimer ("Any similarity to persons living or dead...") and rolling upwards to end with the cast.

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Alternate Versions

The version released on video/DVD in the UK was heavily cut (even with an 18 cert) for the suicide sequence:

• To obtain this category cuts of 1m 34s were required., some or all of these cuts were substitutions. The cuts were Compulsory.
• A cut was required to a scene in which a teenage girl slits her wrists, on the grounds that the technique used is not widely known and is potentially more likely to result in death than the more common method, in line with the Video Recordings Act 1984, and BBFC Guidelines and Policy

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Connections

References ER (1994)

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Soundtracks

Afternoon Delight
Performed by Starland Vocal Band
Words and Music by Bill Danoff
Copyright © 1976 Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. (ASCAP)/Dreamworks Songs (ASCAP)
Worldwide Rights for Dreamworks Songs Administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company,
Inc. (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Used by Permission
Courtesy of Windsong Records
Administered by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc.

User Reviews

A Great Film exploring the human persona through beautiful cinematography

Despite what any "critic" may say of this amazing film, "The Rules of Attraction" is a very intelligent and creative piece of work. First off, the cinematography is AMAZING, from the transitions to the angles to the texture and film used, this picture looks brilliant! The perfectly presented plot and story line beautifully manifests itself to the viewer through cunning writing and wonderful dialogue. The acting is superb, Van der Beek delivers and Sossman is quite simply brilliant. I highly recommend this film to everybody as I'm sure everybody will enjoy it unless they lack the common sense of a teenager, which means that everybody should get it... A+! -Taylor

Details

Official Sites:

Former Official site for the film - site no longer active. [France] Official Director's site for the film. [United States]

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English German

Release Date:

11 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Rules of Attraction

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,532,410, 13 October 2002

Gross USA:

$6,532,619

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,832,822

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kingsgate Films, Roger Avary Filmproduktion GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1