My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

#1

My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:46am

I'm feeling terrible.

I recently rewatched Rules of Attraction, a film I called "a mess" and "uninteresting".

Yet, upon this second viewing, I began to see in corners where I once was blind. And I realized: The Rules Of Attraction is a well-made film.

A well-made film that, alas, is sorely lacking in the character development department.

Yet, everything else is masterful. The acting, the score, the visuals, the direction...my God...I had no idea Avary had this in him.

Yet, alas, the characters. They should have been developed more.

So I am deeply sorry to those who loved or liked this film and were offended by my thoughtless, careless comments. My penance is complete.

#2

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:57am

Yes...the film was well-made. Some brilliant shots (the backwards stuff was amazing to watch) and some brilliant performances.

But the problem is that its a story about people NOT connecting. Which makes for quite a boring and unfulfilling film.

Akiva

#3

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/5/06 at 4:40pm

Wasn't really boring at all. I just found the characters uninteresting.

There is a way to make unlikable characters three-dimensional and realistic. Being John Malkovich is an example of this.

#4

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 8:11am

A well-made film that, alas, is sorely lacking in the character development department.

That's. The. Point. The characters are shallow, self absorbed and nowhere near as fabulous as they think they are.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#5

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 10:49am

Loved it. One of my personal favorites from '02.

The characters are shallow, self absorbed and nowhere near as fabulous as they think they are.

Yes.

#6

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 11:53am

Ditto to loving this movie - and the Faye Dunaway/Swoosie Kurtz cameo scene is priceless.

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If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

#7

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:37pm

I understood the point. But there is a way to make vain, shallow characters three dimensional.

#8

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:29pm

Your second sentence negates the first there.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#9

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 3:41pm

For me, unlikeable characters often make for an unlikeable film (or play), which is why I never liked Reservoir Dogs, The Piano or Glengarry Glen Ross. If I was sitting in a room with a group of people I truly disliked and couldn't stand to be around, I would leave the room. The same goes for a film/play. I find it a waste of my time.

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#10

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 3:55pm

Well that's a truly ridiculous stance to take but as long as you're happy, more power to you.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#11

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 6:14pm

It's not a "stance", as in a predetermined opinion based on all films with unlikeable characters regardless of whether I've seen them or not. It is just a noticeable trend of opinions I've had from films I've seen that share the same types of characters. Not sure how that can be regarded as "ridiculous" any more than it is ridiculous to enjoy those films for whatever reason one enjoys them. But yes, I am happy. Well, I'm happy not to see those films again. LOL

I didn't like Pulp Fiction either, but there are exceptions to the rule. Though it was difficult to watch, I enjoyed Natural Born Killers. Go figure.

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#12

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 6:20pm

The suicide scene in this is seriously unsettling.

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So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.~Office Space

#13

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 6:24pm

And it's SO brilliantly done too. I loved how they went back and pointed her out in the background of scenes.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#14

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:13pm

The suicide is so disturbing, and beautifully done. I also thought that Van Der Beek, Sossamon, Collins, and especially Somerhalder were all terrific. This movie is a future cult classic.

#15

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 8:18pm

I just watched this movie for the first time a couple days ago! I thought it was fantastic, although occasionally the characters did seem a little flat.
I personally thought the suicide scene was very well done, as was the whole movie actually. The direction was really impressive.

And it reaffirmed my celebrity crush on Shannyn Sossamon! She's stunning, really.

#16

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/6/06 at 10:09pm

Avoid the movie and read the book, which is one of my favorites. The movie misses the book big time. I know it's the age old argument of book vs. movie but honestly there is no argument here, the book is by all counts much better.

After you read it then you can watch the movie, unless you've seen it already :P

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yr ronin,
joey

#17

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:10am

I love this movie too, feel as though it's an unknown gem. Great performances by Van Der Beek(shedding his Dawson image) and especially Ian Somerhalder(who I discovered and fell in love w/ here), and yes the suicide scene is disturbing but powerful of course. The backwards camera work is stunning, but nothing compares to that scene where you have the split screen develop into one side by side encounter. That was just masterful.

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"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli

#18

re: My Penance: Rules Of Attraction Is A Good Film

Posted: 2/7/06 at 3:44am

Roninjoey, I said in an earlier thread about this movie that taken on its own terms, it's a good movie. Taken as an adaptation of the book, it's a watered down travesty.

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.