Review of The Rules of Attraction (2002) by Johnf. — 17 Nov 2005
A tough, forcefully abrasive adaptation of a flawed (and decidedly forgettable) Bret Easton Ellis novel? Roger Avery didn't do himself any favours in following up the empty (and ugly, and flat) Killing Zoe, but has gone on to inadvertantly create one of the most important films of this past decade.
This is an angry, hugely inventive dissection, and one that mercilessly attacks (like all of the very best satire) EVERYBODY. Its nihilistic viewpoint is raw, but not without heart; the final, artfully composed twenty minutes wring the heart whilst also throwing arms in the air in utter disillusion.
We, as a species, are fucked... but how did we let it come to this? The dearth of religion? The church of the self? Avary suggests nothing, merely letting us bathe in the horror of our own complicity.
Much as I loathe many of this movie's supporters, it is almost inarguable that this is a film that's going to be avidly devoured for decades to come.
This review of The Rules of Attraction (2002) was written by Johnf. on 17 Nov 2005.
The Rules of Attraction has generally received mixed reviews.
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