Rating: 
Summary: Did the director even read the book?
Review: This has to be one of the worst adaptations of a book that I have ever seen. The movie is inconsistent and inaccurate with the book. They change the events as well as people and places in almost every scene of the movie. Worst of all it seems that they didn't even understand the book. The book wasn't just about Jullian, and his struggles. In my opinnion the focus of the book was Clay, and how he and none of his friends were happy. They had everything, and they cared about nothing. Everyone was just distant and estranged. The movie failed badly at capturing this. Clay's family wasn't even in the movie for god's sake. To top it all off they changed the ending. You can't change the ending of a famous piece of literature. There should be a rule to keep amature filmakers like this guy from doing that. Bottom line...they [messed] it up. The book isn't about Jullian. I guess they couldn't pass up on letting Robert Downy jr be himself.
Rating:
Summary: total blank
Review: quite dreadful. Easton Ellis's book brings to light a general malaise in wealthy young America. the film takes all the venom out of the book, by pouring drugs, homosexuality, depression, prostitution into the character of 'troubled' Julian. society is okay, says the film, in direct contradiction to the book, it's just this poor misguided individual Julian who's in trouble, but with the help of supportive friends, even he may be able to pull through. dark, moody shots and a 'modern' soundtrack can't make up for the fact that this piece of film-making is an act of subversion, but what it is subverting is the subversive quality of the book it is based on. should never have been made.
Rating: 
Summary: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT DOWNEY JR?
Review: Something in the back of my head keeps telling me this is not a good movie, but every time it comes on cable I'm glued to the Boobtube.Maybe it's because I lived the middle-class version of this flick? Everyone I knew in the 80's was a superficial coke whore. "Hey babe, can I get a bump?" A few ended up in the hospital, but nobody died. Maybe because it's stylish and has great music? Maybe it's the great performances by Downey and Spader? Naw... I think it's because every time I see it, I'm craving a BIG FAT LINE!! Could someone tell me why no one gave Julian a Valium? It might have saved his life. That's what they give you at the Hospital for Acute Cocaine Toxicity. Seriously, this movie would get 5 stars, but there's not enough coke snorting in it. FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS it's not. Unfortunately, life will probably initate art and Robert Downey Jr. will O D. STOP ROBERT!! WHY ARE YOU THROWING AWAY THE GIFT!?!
Rating: 
Summary: The Book was better
Review: Having been a long time fan of this movie, I finally got around to reading the book. The movie was great, don't get me wrong, but they need to remake this movie closer to what it was like in the book. The movie is nothing like the book. If this were remade based on the book, the movie would probably open the door to a whole new audience who has the same opinion of the book compared to the movie as I do.
Rating: 
Summary: Glamorous and Gritty
Review: Wow...like a time warp to the late 80's..!
When I saw this flick for the first time (about 10 years ago) I thought that it overly glamorized drug-use...this time when I saw it (on the fabulous DVD Transfer!) I thought it was really pretty sad. Especially the way the parents interacted with the kids. GREAT in the 80's...GREAT NOW...for very different reasons.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of those icons of the 80's...
Review: That you just HAVE to see if you appreciate the 80's for what they were. I am shocked when someone (especially a child of the 80's) tells me that they have not seen this movie, as I feel it's a necessary movie to see. Now, I am speaking as someone who has never read the book, but as far as movies go, this is top notch. Yes, there are weak points, as in any movie, but it's so dramatically compelling at so many levels that it's uncommon strength makes up for any minor weak points. Where other 80's movies pink-bubblegum-candy-coat over their message, this is gritty and raw and truthful. This is a movie that once you see you can't get those images out of your mind for even a moment. This is Downey's finest performance of his entire career, if I may be so bold as to say that. If I were to make a list of my top 5 movies of all time to put in a time capsule that represents my lifetime, this would be in there, no questions asked.
Rating:
Summary: Less Than Zero is More Than That
Review: Okay, so it's not the book, but as someone else has already pointed out, the book could never REALLY be translated into a film. The book is too much of a character study that reads like a diary. The film took some of the ideas from the book and turned into a compelling albeit (sometimes) trite story. Still, it manages to portray an interesting and eerily realistic look at that particular walk of life. I went to school with these people. Some of them grew up, like Clay, but some of them did not, like Julian. This film is beautifully, stylishly directed with stunning visual sequences. Gertz is good but McCarthy is only passable and sometimes just weak. Downey is outstanding and his performance is scary and heartwrenching. It's truly one of the most human performances I've seen in a film. The instrumental soundtrack by Thomas (Six Feet Under) Newman is haunting and adds to the exquisite direction. All in all, an above average look at the 80's rich kid, drug/club culture! Still, I can't help but think it will look like anything more than a freakshow to viewers who have never been exposed to this part of society.
Rating:
Summary: Downey Jr. Shines as Julian
Review: The performance of Robert Downey, Jr. is alone worth purchasing this DVD. A great addition to any film collection.
Rating:
Summary: entertaining
Review: First of all I want to warn everyone, If you loved the book you will hate the movie. If you love the movie you will hate the book. They are nothing alike and that is probably a good thing. If an accurate adaptation of the book was made we would just have an hour and a half to watch dull characters sit around in swim suits doing coke and shooting up. The movie, however, is very stylish and lush, with attractive, likable, sympathetic characters whom you actually care about a little. In the book, although some people may identify with the attitude and lifestyle, there is absolutely no plot or redeming characters, especially Clay. Not to mention the movie has the safe, Hollywood ending. Who would have ever believed Julian could have cleaned up just by moving to a different state??
Rating:
Summary: Movie With Substance About People With None
Review: I saw this movie when it first hit theaters in the '80s. Although I was disappointed that it did not adhere to the novel (an updated version of "Catcher in the Rye?"), I thought it was a helluva movie in its own right. ... What sets this movie apart from other 80s teen flicks is this: it doens't end with some diabetes-inducing sweet Hollywood happy ending (and I think that is what really disturbs people). True, the movie's main point seems to be "Just Say No". But underneath lies other messages. True friends are rare, there are way too many plastic people running around, it's way to easy to get stuck in a rut and sometimes life just really sucks. McCarthy does a fine job as the guy who tried to leave his go nowhere high school life behind and move on only to get sucked in again. Gertz, never one of my favorites, abley portrays the spectator to her friend Julian's self-destruction and tries to ignore it even though she is heading in the same direction. And Downey, Jr.? Geez, he nails his part as Julian the well meaning dreamer who's on a bullet train to Dante's Inferno with really scary accuracy. On a lighter note: the classic Corvette McCarthy drives is sweet. And watch for the scene in the basement dance club where the boom mic guy can be seen clear as day. A great flick with lots of substance. If nothing else, get it for your kids. It may not scare'em straight, but it may make'em think twice.
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