Neige sur Beverly Hills

This film is very mixed. Robert Downey Jr. is beyond fabulous. Having watched someone very close to me go through addiction, I can say that Downey's Julian is the most accurate addict I've ever seen portrayed on film. His hopeless optimism, random outburst of rage, and constant sweating all ring true. But everyone knows RDJ is brilliant. Andrew McCarthy does well with the character created by the screenwriters, but that character lacks depth. If you've read Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name and are expecting the apathetic, drug-addled, jerk narrator, step back 'cause you won't be getting it here. It's no surprise the author was only happy with RDJ and James Spader, their characters are the only ones who even vaguely resemble those of the novel. The novel is shocking to the point of being nauseating and down right disturbing. The film is not. It's a beautiful, vapid montage of 80s that sometimes drags. The soundtrack is killer, especially LLCoolJ's Going' Back to Cali and the Bangles cover of Hazy Shade of Winter. But back to the acting- a few times in the film, Jamie Gertz hits on something real and heart-wrenching, but it's fleeting and before you can sigh with relief, it's gone. Much of her performance is pretty wooden and her performance in the last scene is positively painful. The sex scenes are very realistic, though. Probably the best acting Gertz and McCarthy do in this film. If you're into costumes, check this film out- they're pure 80s perfection.

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.

This movie should be considered a "Cult" classic. The movie captures the plight of a young teen's soul while in the drug world and the loyalty of friendship. The riveting performance of Robert Downey, Jr, who coincidentally won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin, was convincing as a spoiled rich kid gone bad.. why does that sound familiar ?!? James Spader was almost as intriguing as the pimp/drug dealer who was as cold as dry ice ! Andrew McCarthy however, seemed to be drowned by his supporting cast but has proved to be a beloved actor in his roles in "Pretty in Pink & St. Elmo's Fire ! Overall, I think that this movie started fans to really look at these fine actors as serious player's in the 1990's. I highly recommend having this in your collection !

Still plenty of relevant themes in this one. They could probably do a remake with some success. Robert Downey Jr obviously the breakouts are in this. It also introduced me to a great song, hazy shade of Winter.

They tried to make Less than zero into a movie, but they had to censor some parts, probably too hard for the movie. But the success of the novel was the traumatizing things that happened to Clay and his friends, and if you censorship that in order to make a 'watchable' movie, you are going to fail.

Let's remember that in the novel there are the rape of a twelve year old, a pimp injecting heroin into Julian's arm, and a dead boy of an overdose in an alley. You lose all that in the movie by censuring it. And I'm not defending the horrible things that happened in the book, I'm just saying that Less than zero was kinda of a morbid reading.

Another thing they ignored (and it couldn't be because of censorship) was the ad that said 'DISSAPPEAR HERE', that constantly followed Clay through the city.