The only "rules" in Roger Avary's latest are in the second word of the title. Otherwise, the man who made Killing Zoe has thrown the guidebook into the nearest bin and set fire to it.
Eschewing straight narrative for a writhing mass of lust, lethargy, liars and lotharios, Attraction's trick-laden tale charts a year at swanky New England college Camden. It's all hinged around brave, raw performances from the leads: James Van Der Beek neatly skewering Dawson's Creek-tinted perceptions as the cold-hearted Sean Bateman; Shannyn Sossamon blending cynicism with charm as virginal Lauren; and Ian Somerhalder stealing scenes as the listless yet love-hungry Paul.
DVD Extras:
Two commentaries, though both suffer from annoying silent patches. Yet when the cast are talking, it's a welcome composite of shooting memories (Somerhalder is unflinching with his gripes even while talking it up as the job of a lifetime), opinions on what works and what doesn't work, and the actors' reactions to seeing it for the first time.The Sundance Channel's Anatomy Of A Scene featurette is a nice change from the dull, traditional Making Of, while even the trailers are a break from the norm. High marks.
