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20th Century Fox
Not part of a collection.
It only looks like the good life.
A college freshman returns to Los Angeles for Christmas at his ex-girlfriend's request, but discovers that his former best friend has an out-of-control drug habit.
Wuchak
Feb 11, 2018 · via TMDB
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+
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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
Brian Wimmer
Trent
Kelly Wolf
Lile
Anthony Kiedis
Musician #3
Flea
Musician #1
Jayne Modean
Cindy
Eric Walker
Seth Wells
Christopher Maleki
Guy at Party (uncredited)
Brad Pitt
Partygoer / Preppie Kid at Fight (uncredited)
Jackie Swanson
Party Girl (uncredited)
Jack Irons
Musician #4
Walt Lloyd
Camera Operator
Edward Lachman
Director of Photography
Gary Hymes
Stunts
Gary McLarty
Stunts
Gilbert B. Combs
Stunts
Karen Price
Stunts
Noon Orsatti
Stunts
Steve M. Davison
Stunts
Tim A. Davison
Stunts
Tim Gilbert
Stunts
Marek Kanievska
Director
Michael Tronick
Editor
Craig Zisk
Editorial Coordinator
Jon Avnet
Producer
Rick Rubin
Music Supervisor
Thomas Newman
Original Music Composer
Bret Easton Ellis
Novel
Harley Peyton
Screenplay
Svět otevřený náhodám
Pavlínka
Sonntag
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Nov 6, 1987
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Dastoor
1991
Fluidity
2019
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
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Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
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