The Rules Of Attraction - I LOVED IT!!

lesterlong · 10-21-02, 09:09 PM

Something about how bizarre this movie was, I just loved it. I'd go see it again. I just totally loved the way it was shot, the different camera angles, the incredibly well-developed characters, the different storylines, and just the overall movie. This is one of my favorite movies of the year, I loved every bit of it. Everyone was great in it especially Van Der Beek. I wouldn't classify it as a teen movie because the movie was much darker than any teen movie I can remember. I think this was one of those Love It or Hate It type movies and I loved it! Can't wait for the DVD, hopefully it will be an uncut version.

Robert · 10-21-02, 09:47 PM

This is one of the most disjointed movies I have ever seen. What was the point of the 2 gay guys talking with their mothers? The scene was hilarious but I had no idea how it fit into the movie. Why did they have to show Van Der Beek on the toilet wiping his ass? Was that really necessary? The characters are just existing, there is nothing special about any of them.

ike0000 · 10-21-02, 10:43 PM

Great movie! They kind of movie, you either love or hate. I loved it but at the same time there was a whole group of people that walked out of the theater only 10 minutes or so into the movie. My girlfriend hated it also.

lesterlong · 10-21-02, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert
This is one of the most disjointed movies I have ever seen. What was the point of the 2 gay guys talking with their mothers? The scene was hilarious but I had no idea how it fit into the movie. Why did they have to show Van Der Beek on the toilet wiping his ass? Was that really necessary? The characters are just existing, there is nothing special about any of them.

The Van Der Beek thing on the toilet I believe was to show uglyness of his character and his polar opposite the sweet innocent girl. The 2 gay guy thing I think was thrown in there to show another side of Paul, a less dominating side and more weak side of him although they seemed to demonstrate that more towards the end of the film as well. The only thing I would of changed in the movie is that scene where they explain everything Victor did in Europe. I felt that went on too long and should of cut a couple minutes off. Other than that I loved the movie!

sebastianv50 · 10-21-02, 11:39 PM

I thought the Victor seen was one of the cooler seens in the movie. I thought it was a very strange movie, but it didn't really shock me or anything. The camera angles were cool, there was good character development, but I don't think the story really went anywhere. It was cool to see something that different, and in a way I kind of liked it for that. However, I don't know if I can say I really like this movie or not. I'll probably see it again sometime though.

inmehd · 10-22-02, 12:02 AM

I loved it as well.

Now, I could be wrong but I honestly think that the main point of the movie was to leave the audience dissatisfied. How else would you explain that ending? Also, this mirrors the characters' inability to get what they want.

lesterlong · 10-22-02, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by inmehd
I loved it as well.

Now, I could be wrong but I honestly think that the main point of the movie was to leave the audience dissatisfied. How else would you explain that ending? Also, this mirrors the characters' inability to get what they want.

I agree with that too. At first, I thought there was something wrong with my theatre. Also I like how the credits ran backwards, nice touch.

Apocrypha · 10-22-02, 07:56 AM

If you have read the book the ending makes perfect sense.

UKingdom · 11-19-02, 05:42 AM

Can someone explain the ending?

fallow · 11-19-02, 06:29 AM

I believe the point of the film was to mirror the statement made, "You can't know anyone...ever." Look at how shocking each one of the character's actions were.

Spoiler:

At least, that's my theory.

And I LOVED it.

pagos77 · 02-24-03, 04:26 PM

I cant say that I would recommend this movie to most people. I thought that the director tried some interesting things and pulled most of them off well enough. The reverse time thing and some of the camera shots were great to look at but overall the film was just too unbelievable for me and I didnt really care for the characters too much. I think it tries too hard to shock and to be different. If anything I thought it was pretty funny and probably would have worked better for me if it didnt take itself so seriously.

C.H.U.D. · 02-24-03, 09:44 PM

I thought it was great. The scene with the two guys having dinner with their parents as hilarious.

"Diiiiiick. Diiiiiick. You heard me!"

ColdBlue · 02-25-03, 01:30 AM

I'm so glad this thread resurfaced because I watched this film last night and came here to find some opinions. I went to my girlfriend's house last night and she had rented this. I didn't remember hearing about it and expected another shallow teen flick (we differ greatly in taste). I watched in amazement for nearly two hours. I hated every character, was shocked a few times at just how far it went, and was really enjoying the various techniques/sequences employed. When it was over, I didn't know what I thought about it, but it got me thinking about my own life and how dissatisfied I was. I can only recommend this to my film school friend, but will definitely buy this DVD.

MrX · 02-25-03, 02:06 AM

I just saw it Friday for the first time and I enjoyed it. It was something different and I thought the ending was an interesting way to end it.

fmian · 03-01-03, 05:53 AM

I just saw the DVD screener last night and thought it was pure genious. I wasn't sure the ended was right thought. I've heard that some DVD screeners have the ending cut off you see.

But I interpreted the ending as

Spoiler:

As for people complaining about me watching a pirate version of the movie. Don't worry, I'll be checking it out at the theatres and buying the DVD.

Trigger · 03-01-03, 06:24 AM

I've seen it 5 times so far and I just love it. Great writing. Superior camerawork for a low-budget film.

Ghostface180 · 03-01-03, 12:01 PM

Great movie. My favorite of last year. A lot of the complaints that I hear from people about it are that they hated and didnt care about the characters. That's one of the points of the movie and the book. You're not supposed to like them or care about them

ckolchak · 03-01-03, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ghostface180
Great movie. My favorite of last year. ... That's one of the points of the movie and the book. You're not supposed to like them or care about them

is it just me or does the thought of spending 2 hours of your life in the company of people you don't like or care about not sound appealing?

...ah, youth.

meritocracy · 03-01-03, 07:57 PM

Having watched this once again, I sadly find that my feelings remain the same. While I typically enjoy films of this nature if pulled off deftly and with some brand of sophistication (solipsistic collegiate nihilism) and let's make no mistake, there are specific parts here which are quite memorable (the cinematic technique Avery utilizes to introduce us to the main characters, the Ecstasy like european trip video, which by the way would have made a wonderfully surreal short film, and the occasional and well timed use of split screens etc.) still as a whole I was left wanting. In a nutshell, the sum of its parts far outshine the film as a whole.

Summation: A missed opportunity worthy of a rental but I wouldn't risk a blind buy on it.

Patman · 03-01-03, 08:14 PM

I would also recommend that people rent it before blindly purchasing it. I saw it, and once was enough for me.

RoQuEr · 03-02-03, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fmian

As for people complaining about me watching a pirate version of the movie. Don't worry, I'll be checking it out at the theatres and buying the DVD.

Way to get good threads closed......

cooper2000 · 03-02-03, 01:56 PM

I watched it the other night for the first time after missing it in the theatres.
I liked it. Maybe because it was so unlike any experience I have had.
The people were mostly jerks but hey, allot of Big wig people I work with are jerks too.
People dont treat others very well these days, Ive noticed.
I thought Van Derbeek was good in his role and liked that Ian Somerhander too. I wish they would have explored that relationship a bit more as I read in the book they do.
I may have to pick up the book but my question is, is Van Derbeeks character related to the Bateman in American Psycho?

meritocracy · 03-02-03, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper2000
is Van Derbeeks character related to the Bateman in American Psycho?

Yes, they are bothers.

clappj · 03-02-03, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper2000
Is Van Derbeek's character related to the Bateman in American Psycho?

I was hoping for a Christian Bale cameo in this one!
Shame they didn't pull that off!

fmian · 03-03-03, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clappj
I was hoping for a Christian Bale cameo in this one!
Shame they didn't pull that off!

I thought the Fred Savage cameo was good enough though

10-21-02, 09:09 PM	#1
lesterlong Banned Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Right Behind You Posts: 4,986	The Rules Of Attraction - I LOVED IT!! Something about how bizarre this movie was, I just loved it. I'd go see it again. I just totally loved the way it was shot, the different camera angles, the incredibly well-developed characters, the different storylines, and just the overall movie. This is one of my favorite movies of the year, I loved every bit of it. Everyone was great in it especially Van Der Beek. I wouldn't classify it as a teen movie because the movie was much darker than any teen movie I can remember. I think this was one of those Love It or Hate It type movies and I loved it! Can't wait for the DVD, hopefully it will be an uncut version.

10-21-02, 09:47 PM	#2
Robert DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,057	This is one of the most disjointed movies I have ever seen. What was the point of the 2 gay guys talking with their mothers? The scene was hilarious but I had no idea how it fit into the movie. Why did they have to show Van Der Beek on the toilet wiping his ass? Was that really necessary? The characters are just existing, there is nothing special about any of them. __________________ DVDs HD DVD Blu-ray

11-19-02, 06:29 AM	#10
fallow DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,560	I believe the point of the film was to mirror the statement made, "You can't know anyone...ever." Look at how shocking each one of the character's actions were. Spoiler: Van Der Beek never knew (or found out) the girl that wrote him the letters. He also laid under the illusion that Shannon Sosseman's (??) character was an innocent angel, when in fact she was blowing the professor. There is an underlying tone of insecurity and uncertainty through out the film. At least, that's my theory. And I LOVED it.

02-24-03, 09:44 PM	#12
C.H.U.D. Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: In a sewer. Posts: 616	I thought it was great. The scene with the two guys having dinner with their parents as hilarious. "Diiiiiick. Diiiiiick. You heard me!" __________________ From the toxic sewers of New York City, out crawls a C.H.U.D. My DVD collection.

02-25-03, 01:30 AM	#13
ColdBlue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 485	I'm so glad this thread resurfaced because I watched this film last night and came here to find some opinions. I went to my girlfriend's house last night and she had rented this. I didn't remember hearing about it and expected another shallow teen flick (we differ greatly in taste). I watched in amazement for nearly two hours. I hated every character, was shocked a few times at just how far it went, and was really enjoying the various techniques/sequences employed. When it was over, I didn't know what I thought about it, but it got me thinking about my own life and how dissatisfied I was. I can only recommend this to my film school friend, but will definitely buy this DVD. __________________ My Collection Gamercard

10-21-02, 10:43 PM	#3
ike0000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 313	Great movie! They kind of movie, you either love or hate. I loved it but at the same time there was a whole group of people that walked out of the theater only 10 minutes or so into the movie. My girlfriend hated it also.

10-21-02, 11:39 PM	#5
sebastianv50 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 995	I thought the Victor seen was one of the cooler seens in the movie. I thought it was a very strange movie, but it didn't really shock me or anything. The camera angles were cool, there was good character development, but I don't think the story really went anywhere. It was cool to see something that different, and in a way I kind of liked it for that. However, I don't know if I can say I really like this movie or not. I'll probably see it again sometime though.

10-22-02, 12:02 AM	#6
inmehd New Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 17	I loved it as well. Now, I could be wrong but I honestly think that the main point of the movie was to leave the audience dissatisfied. How else would you explain that ending? Also, this mirrors the characters' inability to get what they want.

10-22-02, 07:56 AM	#8
Apocrypha DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: The White Lodge Posts: 1,743	If you have read the book the ending makes perfect sense.

11-19-02, 05:42 AM	#9
UKingdom Banned Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: UNITED STATES! Posts: 2,533	Can someone explain the ending?

02-24-03, 04:26 PM	#11
pagos77 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 71	I cant say that I would recommend this movie to most people. I thought that the director tried some interesting things and pulled most of them off well enough. The reverse time thing and some of the camera shots were great to look at but overall the film was just too unbelievable for me and I didnt really care for the characters too much. I think it tries too hard to shock and to be different. If anything I thought it was pretty funny and probably would have worked better for me if it didnt take itself so seriously.

02-25-03, 02:06 AM	#14
MrX DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 15,614	I just saw it Friday for the first time and I enjoyed it. It was something different and I thought the ending was an interesting way to end it. __________________ "FU New Orleans...... I go over and help you during your Katrina catastrophe, and you stape me in the back like Julius Ceasar........GO TO HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Dalvin "And what comedian designer configured the region between our legs-an entertainment complex built around a sewage system?" - Neil deGrasse Tyson My Countdown Counting down to: Summer Vacation

03-01-03, 05:53 AM	#15
fmian DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,166	I just saw the DVD screener last night and thought it was pure genious. I wasn't sure the ended was right thought. I've heard that some DVD screeners have the ending cut off you see. But I interpreted the ending as Spoiler: Sean bateman being cut off half way into the 'all I knew about her...' sentence cause there wasn't really anything he knew about her. As for people complaining about me watching a pirate version of the movie. Don't worry, I'll be checking it out at the theatres and buying the DVD. __________________ Swiss Woman: "You killed him!" Herbert West: "No I did not. I gave him life."

03-01-03, 06:24 AM	#16
Trigger DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 23,348	I've seen it 5 times so far and I just love it. Great writing. Superior camerawork for a low-budget film. __________________ Trust is giving somebody the opportunity to disappoint you Trigger I live in exile of you, your key no longer fits, because the locks on my life are new Rise Against Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence? Sai Baba

03-01-03, 12:01 PM	#17
Ghostface180 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 881	Great movie. My favorite of last year. A lot of the complaints that I hear from people about it are that they hated and didnt care about the characters. That's one of the points of the movie and the book. You're not supposed to like them or care about them

03-01-03, 07:57 PM	#19
meritocracy DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 1,081	Having watched this once again, I sadly find that my feelings remain the same. While I typically enjoy films of this nature if pulled off deftly and with some brand of sophistication (solipsistic collegiate nihilism) and let's make no mistake, there are specific parts here which are quite memorable (the cinematic technique Avery utilizes to introduce us to the main characters, the Ecstasy like european trip video, which by the way would have made a wonderfully surreal short film, and the occasional and well timed use of split screens etc.) still as a whole I was left wanting. In a nutshell, the sum of its parts far outshine the film as a whole. Summation: A missed opportunity worthy of a rental but I wouldn't risk a blind buy on it. __________________ What exactly is rotten in Denmark? The Collection

03-01-03, 08:14 PM	#20
Patman DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Duluth, GA, USA Posts: 34,378	I would also recommend that people rent it before blindly purchasing it. I saw it, and once was enough for me. __________________ PatCave; HT; DVDs; Dragon*Con 2009 According to DGibFen, I'm a "freaking genius." "Jee-sus, it's like Iwo Jima out there." - Roger Sterling

03-02-03, 01:56 PM	#22
cooper2000 Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Leandro , CA Posts: 1,636	I watched it the other night for the first time after missing it in the theatres. I liked it. Maybe because it was so unlike any experience I have had. The people were mostly jerks but hey, allot of Big wig people I work with are jerks too. People dont treat others very well these days, Ive noticed. I thought Van Derbeek was good in his role and liked that Ian Somerhander too. I wish they would have explored that relationship a bit more as I read in the book they do. I may have to pick up the book but my question is, is Van Derbeeks character related to the Bateman in American Psycho?