Not much I can relate to here. College for me wasn't anything remotely close to events that occurred in this film, although three decades removed from when I went to school probably made things a little crazier. Almost the entire picture relies on shock value to make it's point, although what that point is I really don't know. There aren't any redeeming characters in the story, virtually all are reprehensible, and the story itself regards them like balls in a pinball machine bouncing off each other and hardly ever coming to rest. I almost turned the movie off after about thirty minutes, but since I already had that amount of time invested, I decided to ride it out to see how things turned out. Not well I'm afraid, with one suicide, one half baked attempt at one, and the reprehensible characters pretty much getting what they deserved. For a quicker review, just read my summary line.

At a party in Camden College, New Hampshire, Lauren Hynde (Shannyn Sossamon) pines for her cheating ex-boyfriend Victor Johnson (Kip Pardue) as she gets raped losing her virginity while a film student is recording it. Paul Denton (Ian Somerhalder) tries to make out with a jock and gets beaten up. Sean Bateman (James van der Beek) is bruised. He misses Lauren and instead has sex with a drunken Kelly (Kate Bosworth). The movie goes back months to see how these characters arrive to their state. Sean is the younger brother of Patrick Bateman from another Bret Easton Ellis novel 'American Psycho'. He deals drugs and owes money to unstable dealer Rupert Guest (Clifton Collins, Jr.). Lauren's roommate is slutty Lara Holleran (Jessica Biel). This is an unrequited love triangle between Lauren, Paul and Sean with plenty of misunderstandings.

The movie is trying too hard with its edgy cinematic style. Director Roger Avary throws unnecessary camera tricks at the audience. He should let the outlandish depraved antics speak for themselves. Avary is also the screenwriter but he fails to add any humor. It's a lot of shock and awe. Ian Somerhalder is uncomfortably good. The young cast is not necessarily full of great actors but they fit into this crazy world very well. I found it a little boring as the movie tries too hard to be shocking. For example, Paul masturbates with a passed out Sean in the room is a complete scene by itself. Avary has to do an imagined split-screen scene of them making out. It's unnecessary and distracting from the really interesting scene.

A few years ago I caught "Rules of Attraction" at a friend's house. I was mesmerized by the images I saw and repulsed by other images. But most of all, I was fascinated with my reaction more than the film itself.

I purchased the DVD recently and watched it again. And a similar response: I don't know if I love it or hate it, but I do know I really want to watch the film again. Which, I guess, is a compliment.

The story is that of Sean, Paul and Lauren (as well as many other minor characters) who attend Camden University, and have a very twisted love triangle amongst themselves and simultaneously involving other people. The overall theme is you can never really know anyone and the one you love is not necessarily the one who loves you. Oh, and Sean is the brother of Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho". Although this doesn't matter much.

Some things about the film are annoying. Mainly, the director's obsession with showing things in reverse. There's a point to it, and I respect the way he uses this gimmick to have different stories overlap, but the reverse filming is overdone and becomes little more than a waste of time. I also greatly dislike the end. I won't reveal what it is, but I will say it leaves you feeling like you bought a toy with the batteries missing.

Besides this, the film has three main things that I think are appealing. One: The characters of the drug dealer and "Dick" are both great and provide necessary comic relief. Two: The music is used in such a way that you may never hear the songs the same way again (George Michael's "Faith", Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" and whoever sings "All By Myself"). Three: using the stars of Dawson's Creek and 7th Heaven (basically clean shows) to show intense drug use, suicide, gay sex, masturbation, gang bangs and profane language. This third thing is probably the biggest appeal.

Also, Boone from "Lost" stars... before being in "Lost". Although in this film he's gay and in Lost he's a sniveling boot-licker. So I guess he's been typecast as a feminine character and not really much different in these roles.

I guess I recommend this film, even though my gut reaction is to not recommend it to anyone. At least I can say this: Sean Bateman is much less annoying in this movie than he is in the novel "American Psycho". Rock and roll.