Less Than Zero

Less Than Zero is a 1987 film loosely based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Andrew McCarthy as Clay, a college freshman returning home for Christmas for the first time since Thanksgiving, when he found out that his girlfriend Blair (Jami Gertz) had been having sex with his high school friend, Julian, who is also a junkie (Robert Downey Jr.). Now at Christmas he finds Blair still trying to recreate the good times, as i... more

Less Than Zero is a 1987 film loosely based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Andrew McCarthy as Clay, a college freshman returning home for Christmas for the first time since Thanksgiving, when he found out that his girlfriend Blair (Jami Gertz) had been having sex with his high school friend, Julian, who is also a junkie (Robert Downey Jr.). Now at Christmas he finds Blair still trying to recreate the good times, as if nothing has happened and Julian sinking further into drugs and being hassled by his dealer (James Spader) to whom he owes money. The movie presents a look at the culture of wealthy youth in Los Angeles and has a strong anti-drug message. Less Than Zero received mixed reviews among critics. Ellis hated the film initially but his view of it has softened in recent years. However, he insists that the film bears no resemblance to his novel and felt that it was miscast with the exceptions of Downey and Spader. Clay is a college freshman who... less