On L List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Less Than Zero (1987)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
10/04, 1/06, 8/12, 11/21
1/06:
Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis' novella, Less Than Zero is a poorly directed film that lacks the distinctive
atmosphere as created in the book.
Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey, Jr., turn in lousy performances. On the other hand, James Spader is perfect
and is too good for everybody; hence, he was never part of the Brat Pack which consisted of bad, untalented actors.
The trouble is that I didn't care about any of the characters. So what if Julian is found
dead with a needle in his arm in the middle of a dark alley? I mean, what's so damned important about him?
All in all, James Spader's presence prevents Less Than Zero from being a total turkey.
8/12:
I just finished the roman à clef novella Less Than Zero and went for the motion picture to see how different
they were.
All the film retained are the title and the names of the characters. Forget about everything else. I wish the environment
was similar to the book. Unfortunately, the producers had the final say by throwing the idea out of the window.
I've now decided the performances are good, but James Spader steals the show. In fact, he should've been Clay. I actually
can see Jami Gertz as Blair, but her acting needs work. Well, it's not interesting to watch a full-blown drug addict acting
pathetic and finally passing away at the end. Even worse is the constant need to know where Julian is. I mean, who cares?
All in all, by getting a better director and having a stronger vision, Less Than Zero would be a stylish, perhaps
iconic, atmospheric picture.
11/21:
Is Less Than Zero a portrayal of Robert Downey, Jr.'s real-life drug addiction?
This seems like it. Of course, he gives a believable performance but can sometimes overact for the sake of being
pathetic. Andrew McCarthy and Jami Gertz are generally bad thespians, underscoring the worst of the Brat Pack but, believe
it or not, are at their best as Clay and Blair, respectively.
James Spader is a gem, but I'm not sure why his character is keenly interested in Julian's welfare. Perhaps he has a
personal vendetta against him over something that happened a long ago which remains unknown. Yeah, that must be it.
As pointless and nihilistic as the film can be at times, there's a nice style against the chic, wealthy
yet decadent 80's ambience. The director succeeds in this respect but ultimately fails to make the film resemble anything
like the novella that made Bret Easton Ellis an instant literary sensation. He was 21 when it was first published.
All in all, Less Than Zero is a watchable film, but it's difficult to care about any of the characters.