Less Than Zero

Summary: Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy, and Jami Gertz are three friends living in Los Angles. McCarthy leaves for New York City to attend college while Downey and Getz stay behind. When McCarthy returns for Christmas he finds they are both nose deep into drugs, living a crazy life style, and several other problems centered on Downey. This movie will bring you back to the 1980’s with the hair, clothes, and music which is always a nice trip down memory lane.

Plot (B+): Drug movies always provide interesting plotlines. This is the case with Less Than Zero. Like any other drug movie, Less Than Zero shows the viewer the disastrous affects drugs have on people and their relationships with others. This movie was based on the novel written by Bret Easton Elis, who also wrote, American Psycho and The Rules of Attraction. (On a side note those two movies are just as good if not better than Less Than Zero.) His books always depict the deterioration of the main character(s) and how that affects everyone else.

Action (N/A): This isn’t a movie about fighting or action. The only fighting that does occur is between McCarthy and James Spader’s muscle man named Hop. Yes, he is name is Hop and its utterly ridiculous. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time when I heard it.

Set Design (B+): I’m giving this a B+ because of the originality in the party scenes. Some of the set designs are so over the top and 80’s you have to admire it. Take a look for yourself and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

Acting & Dialogue (A): Each of the four main actors shine, but it is Robert Downey Jr. who leaves an everlasting mark. He is so damn good in this movie it’s scary. What’s scarier is that he lived that drugged infested lifestyle for so long. It's bizarre how this film foreshadowed things to come in his personal life. Surprisingly, McCarthy stands out as well. You can really sense his inner conflict when dealing with his friends, which brings a strong balance to the story.

Sex Appeal (6): There are no titty shots in this movie, which is always a downer in my book. However, Jamie Gertz shows some serious cleavage that may get some blood pumping to a certain area if you don’t “get some” on a regular basis. Oh, there’s also a random ass shot of McCarthy waking up in the beginning of the movie. Typically, this wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, but he’s living in New York City and its winter. What fucking guy just wears a thermal shirt to bed and no pants or boxers during the winter? That straight up pissed me off. I like continuity people! (By the way I gave this a 6 only because of the cleavage shots and not the random ass shot...that lost points.)

Director (B+): Marek Kanievska is a relatively unknown director in America. He directed two other films since Less Than Zero, one in 2000 and the other in 2004, but they were of no significance. With that being said he did a very good job. If he had anything to do with picking the great Rick Rubin for the music then I give him even more credit.

Overall: B+