"The Rules of Attraction" doesn't appear to have an ending. But that's just one of several problems with this ugly, unappealing satirical film based on the best-selling novel by controversial author Bret Easton Ellis (whose novels "American Psycho" and "Less Than Zero" were also turned into films).
Perhaps more crippling is the film's inability to find even one sympathetic or compelling character. Worse, you may want to take a shower after seeing it — that is, if you can even sit through this nearly two-hour mess of misogyny and cynicism.
Oddly, the film doesn't really say when its story takes place. The novel is set in the 1980s, and the soundtrack would suggest that the film does as well, but the clothing, hairstyles and autos all mark it as present-day.
The setting is Camden College, a liberal-arts institution in New England attended by Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek). This sociopath now finds himself attracted to confused student Lauren Hynde (Shannyn Sossamon). She in turn is still pining away for Victor (Kip Pardue), her ex-boyfriend who's been living it up in Europe. Now that he's back in town, though, he's rejecting advances from everyone, including Paul Denton (Ian Somerhalder), a bisexual student who also used to date Lauren.
Writer/director Roger Avary uses these characters to explore sexual dynamics and modern meanings of love and romance. However, his gimmicky storytelling techniques certainly detract rather than help move the plot along.
As for Van Der Beek, this is supposed to be his big "breakthrough" role, but his less-than-subtle performance is laughable. Meanwhile, Sossamon is too bland to make any impression.
"The Rules of Attraction" is rated R for frequent use of strong sex-related profanity, simulated drug use (cocaine, heroin and marijuana), simulated sex, crude humor about and references to sexual functions, male and female nudity, violence (gunplay, beatings and a stabbing), brief gore and some use of ethnic slurs. Running time: 102 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com