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Less Than Zero (1987)

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54

Average Rating: 5.2/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 11

A couple of standout performances -- notably Robert Downey, Jr. and James Spader -- and a killer soundtrack can't quite elevate a somewhat superficial adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' story of drugged-out LA rich kids.

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

A couple of standout performances -- notably Robert Downey, Jr. and James Spader -- and a killer soundtrack can't quite elevate a somewhat superficial adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' story of drugged-out LA rich kids.

audience

65

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 11,179

My Rating

Movie Info

This drama about affluent Los Angeles teens is taken from the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Clay (Andrew McCarthy) is a college freshman who returns home during Christmas break. Clay's old flame Blair (Jamie Gertz) is now more interested in her new beau Julian (Robert Downey, Jr.), the fun-loving party boy with a penchant for drugs. While Clay tries to rekindle a thing with Blair, Julian becomes addicted to cocaine and starts freebasing. Julian's friends try halfheartedly to intervene, with no

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Drama

Mar 5, 2002

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Cast

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (12) | DVD (12)

Ed Lachman's cinematography is letter perfect as always in its handling of light and color (assisted here by Barbara Ling's flashy production design), but it's a pity to see it wasted on such claptrap.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Perhaps this wasn't the best subject matter for British director Marek Kanievska (Another Country) to make his American debut. The feel for this distinctly Southern California story escapes him.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Loosely based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, Less Than Zero refuses to take the risks necessary to capture the keen social observation of the book.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The only saving grace of this exercise in futility is the suitably louche performance by Spader as drug-dealer Rip.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

Jami Gertz was, is, and ever shall be one of the most egregious actresses in the history of film.

August 14, 2006 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

a bit of a mess

April 6, 2005 Comment
Shadows on the Wall

The anti-teen film that really kicks ass

March 31, 2005 Comment
Moviehole

Meant to be a statement against the amoral lifestyle of super-rich youth, it misses the mark by a mile.

August 27, 2004 Full Review | Comment
Spirituality and Practice

Has style to spare, but none of the novel's shock value

August 15, 2004 Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette

Bret Easton Ellis's novel is fairly faithfully into a portrait of strung out teenage yuppies in LA during the late 80s.

February 10, 2003 Comment
Sunday Times (Australia)

A startling tale of alienation and self-destruction. Put Downey on the map, at least for a while.

February 9, 2003 Comment
Needcoffee.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Less Than Zero

This movie helped de-glamorize the life I felt I was missing out on. The sad story of friends as life moves on. Great soundtrack! The movie is not near as powerful as the book, but just because the story mixes in my head made the movie better. The glam life of my generation!! lol

February 15, 2011
Tomassgringo

Super Reviewer

This is the story of what happens when very real substances get introduced into a very plastic environment. This has the normal soulless behavior you'd expect from an addiction movie, but it's poorly executed. It's hard to give a shit about the characters. There's also a crack withdrawal video montage? Come on now.

February 3, 2011
Jason Calvin

Super Reviewer

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