Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Andrew McCarthy | ... | Clay | |
Jami Gertz | ... | Blair | |
Robert Downey Jr. | ... | Julian | |
James Spader | ... | Rip | |
Tony Bill | ... | Bradford Easton | |
Nicholas Pryor | ... | Benjamin Wells | |
Donna Mitchell | ... | Elaine Easton | |
Michael Bowen | ... | Hop | |
Sarah Buxton | ... | Markie | |
Lisanne Falk | ... | Patti | |
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Michael Greene | ... | Robert Wells |
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Neith Hunter | ... | Alana |
Afton Smith | ... | Kim | |
Brian Wimmer | ... | Trent | |
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Kelly Wolf | ... | Lile |
Clay, an eighteen-year-old freshman, comes back from his first term at Princeton to spend his Christmas vacation with his broken-up wealthy family in Los Angeles. His former girlfriend, Blair, is now involved with his ex-best-friend, Julian. She warns Clay that Julian needs help: he is using a lot of cocaine and has huge debts. What follows is a look at the youth culture of wealthy post adolescents in Beverly Hills with a strong anti-drug message. Apart from the setting and the names, the film has very little to do with Bret Easton Ellis's book by the same title on which it was based. Written by Jeroen van Bree <J.vBree@kub.nl>
I lived in L.A. in the Eighties and remember the club scene with a chill. From Eddie Nash's joint on Hollywood Blvd[The Seven Seas] to Club Lingerie to the small venues in Long Beach and Orange County, this movie catches the ennui like a manic firefly in a jar. From the 'powder' in the ladies' room to casual sex, it shows it as it was--callow and shallow and a line/hit away from degradation and death.
It's heart-breaking to watch Robert Downey Jr.'s character surrender his dignity to a free base pipe. Other posts complain about the James Spader's performance, but he was dead on. Pushers are not nice people. This is an early cinematic example of truth about the nature of drug addiction. Are you frightened? NOT FRIGHTENED ENOUGH!
Scare yourself straight tonight. Watch 'Drugstore Cowboy', 'Less than Zero', and 'Rush'.
Here's hoping that Robert Downey Jr.'s talent will not be eclipsed by his addiction. He's an amazing actor. ['Chaplin' & 'Restoration' alone earned him a place in cinematic history.]