Review of Less Than Zero (1987) by John P — 26 May 2010

Oh Em Gee, it ain't like the book!

If you're expecting a translation of Bret Easton Ellis's first novel, you're going to be disappointed. Disappointed to the point of turning the movie off in frustration, taking it out of your DVD player, and snapping the disc in half.

But, ironically, it works best when it's not trying to be like the book. Which, is maybe about half the time. Maybe less.

You see, the novel is dark as hell, disturbing as hell, and it leaves quite the bad taste in your mouth. Even Clay, the protagonist, isn't particularly likable, and his sanity lies in question the entire time. The film version of Clay is an anti-drug crusader. A hopeful lad who attempts to save his best friend and girlfriend from the horrors of drugs and 80s excess!

I guess I could bitch about this movie completely missing the fucking point of the book, but, I ain't reviewing the adaptation. I'm reviewing the movie. So, yeah, when the movie isn't clumsily trying to adapt scenes from the book (they come off as awkward and forced, moreso due to the fact that the characters in the movie are 100% different from those in the book), it's annoyingly preachy. I swear, Andrew McCarthy gives at least five self-righteous speeches about the supporting characters cleaning up their lives. Due to this shitty Mary Sue-like characterization, I was forced to identify with the drug addicted, whoring, supposedly "bad" supporting characters.

Speaking of which, the movie's at its best whenever Robert Downey, Jr is onscreen. He's fantastic, and the fact that he doesn't seem to be actually "acting" makes things both better and more disturbing (when you realize that his personal life was as tumultuous as the character's). In fact, Downey's portrayal of Julian is the closest the film gets to capturing the feeling given off by the book.

James Spader is good too, but is a bit too slimy at times. Jami Gertz straddles the line between good and bad, enough to annoy the viewer. I said Andrew McCarthy's character was poorly written, but it's poorly acted, too. His delivery is too upbeat, and he portrays the character like a vanilla fucking wafer.

The cinematography and production design are the second-best parts of the film. It's an orgy of pastel colors and 80s kitsch that elevates this mostly-mediocre film unto a level that makes it watchable and actually enjoyable. The end shot (helicopter? Crane? I dunno) is amazing, and it takes your breath away.

So, the movie's certainly enjoyable. I wish I had somehow cut out the memory of the book before seeing this, because it's extremely difficult to view it objectively. Trying to forget my experience with the book, and looking at the film as naked as I can, I'd say it's a pretty film, with so-so performances and bad script, but it's put together perfectly, and Downey Jr's performance is heartbreaking, disturbing, and compelling all rolled into one...

... Just like the book.