Loosely (very loosely) based on the cult novel by Bret Easton Ellis, Less Than Zero features four of the coolest actors from the 80s - Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey, Jr., Jami Gertz and James Spader - pulling off that vapid, decadent, wasteful, drifting, fashionable, alienated sex, drugs and partying LA young thing 'thing' that Easton Ellis writes about so perfectly.
McCarthy is Clay, part of a tight knit group with his girlfriend Blair (Gertz) and best friend Julian (Downey, Jr.), who moves away to college whilst the rest stay in LA. Whilst he is away, Blair cheats on him with Julian and they break up. He gets a mysterious call from her sometime after, and he returns back to LA for Christmas to find out Julian is homeless and a drug addict - and Blair wants Clay to help him. They get sucked into Julian's problems and how deep into debt he is and who he owes it to - a shady character called Rip, played by Spader.
It's not a GREAT film but it's easy to watch, with the 80s nostalgia, LA scene, wonderful fashion and hair (back in fashion!) washing over you like a sun-soaked comfort blanket. Gertz is perfection and there's even a cheeky shot of the McCarthy bum. Downey, Jr. is brilliant as usual as the comedic, tragic Julian. Don't think about it too much - and definitely don't think about the book, it's nowhere close - and just enjoy a film that is now pretty hip again.
3/5 crimped hair and bloody nosesWatch it for: Andrew McCarthy - as adorable as everWatch out for: The ending :*(
Loosely (very loosely) based on the cult novel by Bret Easton Ellis, Less Than Zero features four of the coolest actors from the 80s - Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey, Jr., Jami Gertz and James Spader - pulling off that vapid, decadent, wasteful, drifting, fashionable, alienated sex, drugs and partying LA young thing 'thing' that Easton Ellis writes about so perfectly.
McCarthy is Clay, part of a tight knit group with his girlfriend Blair (Gertz) and best friend Julian (Downey, Jr.), who moves away to college whilst the rest stay in LA. Whilst he is away, Blair cheats on him with Julian and they break up. He gets a mysterious call from her sometime after, and he returns back to LA for Christmas to find out Julian is homeless and a drug addict - and Blair wants Clay to help him. They get sucked into Julian's problems and how deep into debt he is and who he owes it to - a shady character called Rip, played by Spader.
It's not a GREAT film but it's easy to watch, with the 80s nostalgia, LA scene, wonderful fashion and hair (back in fashion!) washing over you like a sun-soaked comfort blanket. Gertz is perfection and there's even a cheeky shot of the McCarthy bum. Downey, Jr. is brilliant as usual as the comedic, tragic Julian. Don't think about it too much - and definitely don't think about the book, it's nowhere close - and just enjoy a film that is now pretty hip again.
3/5 crimped hair and bloody noses
Watch it for: Andrew McCarthy - as adorable as ever
Watch out for: The ending :*(
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