Review of Less Than Zero (1987) by Bill M — 20 Apr 2014

Less Than Zero is a pretty terrible adaptation, it barely resembles the Brett (Rules Of Attraction, American Psycho) Easton Ellis's book on which it's based, often the only similarities are the names of characters, and the location of mid 80's L.

A. Gone is the dread of Ellis's controversial book, as are the snuff movies, underage girl gang rape, and various other horrors that the studio no doubt frowned upon. What is dose retain is a similar mood, atmosphere, and view on overprivileged, morally compromised, coke snorting kids.

But really once you get past the fact that almost none of the book is in the film, you appreciate that the film is it's own thing really, and what it is, is a teen flick released in the midst of the John Hughes/Brat Pack era that stood out from the rest as a more raw, dark, honest and unflinching portrayal of youth than other movies of the time.

Particularly in a very young Robert Downey Jr's performance as rich kid turned drug addict and male prostitute Julian, he gives an incredible performance, and his hopeless plight is often heartbreaking to watch.

Another standout is the films amazing visual look, the none more 80's, neon drenched lighting and cinematography are remarkable, and the set design wonderfully gaudy and opulent, it captures a dark and lightly satirical look at this empty life style that still connects it to Ellis's work in spirit at least, even if it's no were near as uncompromising and viscous.

But it pre-dates Heathers as an edgier movie in that arena that undermines the themes and attitude of teen movies of the 80's dressed in a similarly glossy sheen, window dressing for a more unforgiving story, even if it gets sentimental in a way that the ever cynical writer would have baulked, even gaged at.

Still, a sad, visually incredible, unique snapshot of a particular time in youth culture that even though it is not the book, deserves to be reappraised as it's own thing.