dchristenson-1
One of the worst lead casts I've ever seen in the history of movies
frankmerritt
Like many Hollywood "adaptations" there were many changes made for the film of the famous novel of the same name. However, this film stands on its own as an evocation of LA in the 80s, and a compelling story and characters, apart from what the novel was. A great film, in my opinion.
Wuchak
RELEASED IN 1987 and directed by Marek Kanievska, "Less than Zero" is a drama about a trio of rich 18 year-olds from Los Angeles. After graduation, one goes off to college (Andrew McCarthy), but returns for Christmas break wherein he finds his ex-girlfriend (Jami Gertz) and, especially, his buddy (Robert Downey Jr.) struggling with drug addiction in the Beverly Hills fast lane. James Spader plays a smug high society dealer.This is the furthest thing from typical 80's youth flicks, like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "The Karate Kid," "Valley Girl," "Footloose" and "Can't Buy Me Love" (where there's, admittedly, a lot of range). "Less than Zero" has the epic, artsy style of Francis Ford Coppola films like "The Outsiders" and "Rumble Fish" (both from 1983) meshed with the chic melancholy of "Poison Ivy" (1992). My main issue is that it takes too long to get absorbed into the characters and their story. The filmmaking is gorgeous, however, which is ironic because this is a really downbeat movie. Gertz is fine, but she never did anything for me, while McCarthy is serviceable as the main protagonist, yet rather bland in a goody-goody way. Both Downey Jr. and Spader, however, de-shine in their roles (in a good way). If you favor arty, glum movies you might like this better than me, but it's nowhere near as effective as "Poison Ivy," a similar artsy, gloomy flick. The movie runs 1 hour 38 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area, including Malibu. WRITERS: Bret Easton Ellis (novel) and Harley Peyton (screenplay) GRADE: C+
David_Brown
If anyone has seen this film you can see that it is a darker version of "Pretty In Pink." In "Pretty In Pink" Andrew McCarthy played Blaine, here it is Clay, (both times he is the good guy) and James Spader played the bad guy. There it was Steff, here it is Rip. The main reason to watch for me is Jami Gertz (Blair). I first noticed her on "Facts of Life" (as "Boots"), and I was hooked. I have seen 16 films of her (and except for "The Lost Boys" this is her best). I have read that Bret Easton Ellis did not like this adaptation of his book. Probably as a gay man, Jami Gertz was not his idea of a love interest, well as a straight guy, she was mine (although certainly not a nice wholesome girl). I give this film 9/10 stars (mostly for Jami and the soundtrack).
AD
