The Rules of Attraction is a 2002 satirical dark comedy film directed by Roger Avary, based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars James van der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, Ian Somerhalder, Jessica Biel, and Kip Pardue. The film takes place at the fictional Camden College, a liberal arts school in northeastern New Hampshire. The opening sequence introduces the three main characters - Lauren Hynde , Paul Denton , and Sean Bateman , in turn. They are three college students at an "End of the World" party, and although they don't interact at the party, they share a certain... apathetic perspective. Lauren, previously a virgin, is raped by a townie while being filmed by a film student; the humiliation culminates when the rapist vomits on her back. Paul is bashed by a deeply closeted jock whom he attempted to seduce, and Sean fails to recall the last time he had sex sober. After the introduction of each character, time moves backwards until we meet the next character.
more
| Release date: | October 11, 2002 |
| Directed by: | Roger Avary |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 110 Minutes |
| Producer: | Greg Shapiro |
| Editor: | Sharon Rutter |
| Music by: | Tomandandy |
| Cinematography: | Robert Brinkmann |
| Screenplay by: | Roger Avary |
| Estimated budget: | $4,000,000 |
| Adapted from: | The Rules of Attraction |
| Genre: | Thriller, Comedy |