Less Than Zero (1987)

A college freshman returns to L.A. for the holidays at his ex-girlfriend's request, but discovers that his former best friend has an out-of-control drug habit.

Director:

Marek Kanievska

Writers:

Bret Easton Ellis (novel), Harley Peyton (screenplay)

Stars:

Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey Jr.

1 nomination.

Cast

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
Michael Greene	...	Robert Wells
Neith Hunter	...	Alana
Afton Smith	...	Kim
Brian Wimmer	...	Trent
Kelly Wolf	...	Lile

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | drug addict | self destructiveness | twenty something | loyalty | 

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Taglines:

It only looks like the good life.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the rough experience of the shoot, Robert Downey Jr. considers this movie to be one of his all time favorite movies of his own, citing his performance of Julian Wells as "the ghost of Christmas Future", to his personal life.

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Goofs

In the party with all the TVs, Blair's hairstyle changes while she is talking to Clay.

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Quotes

Clay: Just leave with me! There's no reason for you to stay. Not here, not in LA.
Julian: Jesus! Do I look like I'm ready for homework?

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Connections

Referenced in Lunar Park

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Soundtracks

Fight Like a Brave
Performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Words & Music by Flea, Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, Jack Irons
Courtesy of EMI Records

User Reviews

Too close to the truth

Having lived right in Hollywood and been addicted to crack myself I am impressed by how darn true it really is. Sure, the acting may lack and the directing could be better... I remember watching this in '87 when I was in high school and an innocent young girl. After watching this again (and being drug free for 2 years now) I am floored at how close to reality this film is. It is stylized, but it is a film after all. The desperation, the loneliness, the hopelessness, all were captured and imprinted on film. Until you have walked the walk and talked the talk this film may be cheesy to you. Once you've walked down those same streets (literally!) this film is a reminder to me of what can happen if I make those same choices again. I laughed and I cried.

What saddens me most is that hindsight is 20/20 for Mr Downey. I've read that he allegedly WAS high and using during the filming.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Less Than Zero

Filming Locations:

2138 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,008,987, 8 November 1987

Gross USA:

$12,396,383

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,396,383

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Amercent Films, American Entertainment Partners L.P.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White (flashbacks) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1