Less Than Zero 1987

     This film is based on a novel by Bret Easton Ellis.  Clay, Blair and Julian were best friends in high school.  They had big plans for their lives.  Clay went to college in New Hampshire, Blair is a model and Julian is a drug addict with a lot of debt.  Clay doesn’t realize how bad things are until he comes home for Christmas.  Blair has been trying to help Julian but he has gotten too out of control and difficult.  Julian’s family has tried everything but they have given up when nothing seems to take.  Clay determines he will do everything he can to help Julian and Blair.

     There is plenty of cocaine in this film along with wealth, glamour and self-destruction.  One of the biggest problems with drug addiction at any age is how do you stop, when is enough, how much money can you owe?  Robert Downey, Jr. had his own struggle with drug problems from 1996 to 2001.  He had arrests, rehab, jail time and he was fired from Ally McBeal in 1997.  He finally recovered in 2003.  I wonder if he ever thought about this film, the subject and his role?  3 1/2*  (I liked this movie)

98 min, Drama directed by Marek Kanievska with Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey Jr., James Spader, Tony Bill, Nicholas Pryor, Donna Mitchell, Michael Bowen, Sarah Buxton, Lisanne Falk, Michael Greene.

Note:  Imdb 6.3 out of 10, 54% critic 63% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Evert 4*, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 246 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Los Angeles and Malibu, California.  It was suggested by the director at the beginning of filming that Downey and McCarthy should go out and party to get into their characters.  Downey ended up in the middle of Santa Monica Boulevard howling at the moon.  McCarthy had to bail him out of jail!!  Downey was 21, McCarthy was 24 and Gertz was 21 at the time of filming.