Less Than Zero

Rating:
Summary: Skip the movie, read the book instead...
Review: I had just completed the novel of the same name when I decided to rent the video of "Less Than Zero" to basically see the novel come to life. This was something which I eagerly anticipated since I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I was sadly disappointed. The film is a very sanitized version of the book. While the film does feature a plotline which is a bit similar to that of the novel (drug dealing, rich kids in L.A., 80's excess) the majority of the story in the film has nothing to do with the novel, and much of the character attributes are lost in translation to the screenplay. For example, the main character, Clay (Andrew McCarthy)is a highly strung out junkie in the novel, while in the film he is a clean kid who preaches to his friends about the dangers of drugs. The film seems to focus more on the problems with Julian (Robert Downey, Jr.) than on anything else, while the book's plot revolved around Clay. Many of the other, more interesting secondary characters are barely touched on in the film, making it lack depth. Lost in the transition to the screenplay are some of the book's greatest lines such as "Get Lost Here" and "I want to go back. Where? I don't know where, just back." The film does seem to have one or two good things going for it: the portrayal of drug dealer Rip by James Spader and the soundtrack...but that's about it. If you haven't read the book, you may want to try the film, but if you've read the book, skip the film. However, I recommend skipping the film altogether and just reading the book instead.

Rating:
Summary: Read The Book/ Buy The Soundtrack
Review: Well, I bought this movie excepting a plot. At the end of the movie I waited for more story line, and received nothing. I just wanted to say RENT IT do not buy it like me. I'll probably let it collect dust in my vhs cabinet. The music is great; Roy Orbison singing a Glenn Danzig song, Slayer playing In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Danzig singing 50's music. Buy the CD, but if you watch the movie you'll notice the songs should have been placed in later more important parts.

Rating:
Summary: From riches to depravity
Review: I could not believe the reflection which this movie cast upon the eighties generation of the youthful wealthy. It was full of rich and detailed scenes of unleashed gratifaction in which the wealthy enjoy. The movie also explores a very dark, and somber experience of the young fallen financially elite. I see that the movie shows us the atrocities of what a heavy drug user will do for a "fix". In all I have to say this movie will relate to most all generations, save the eighties jargon.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific Robert Downey performance
Review: This movie paints an accurate picture of the young and the privileged in L.A. in the late 80's, if however somewhat stylized. It is a bit surrealistic and thus haunting, and is a visually beautiful film. Robert Downey Jr. is unforgettable as the complex doomed young man who doesn't know when to stop partying.

Rating:
Summary: Initially promising, but overall...a wasted opportunity
Review: About three weeks ago I rented "The Pick-up Artist" and saw a preview for "Less Than Zero". Being a huge fan of dark, nihilistic dramas, I immediately checked out a copy. The somber tone of opening scenes made for a first-rate beginning-----I was hooked. Unfortunately, after about 40 minutes into it, the movie was just spinning its wheels, suffocating the brilliance of the first act with a mediocre plot. I intend to read the book to see if it is any better.

Rating:
Summary: Every Teenager Should See This Movie
Review: Aside from the extremely talented cast, Less Than Zero is s must see for teenagers everywhere. This movie shows just how far over the edge drugs can take you. Julian (Downey Jr.) is so dependent on finding his next high that his friends (Mccarthy/Gertz)can't even save him from himself. The movie's message is important, however, it is amazing to me that these kids are supposed to be right out of high school and Mccarthy drives a very expensive car, Gertz has money to buy cocaine and Spader is renting suites in Palm Springs! Their circumstances are a little far fetched, but for Hollywood it's quite normal, and it doesn't take away from the message of the movie.

Rating:
Summary: andrew mc carthy can be my friend anyday...
Review: What a great yet real story on how life can take a turn not necessarily expected...yet through it all I'd hope to have such a great friend..........

Rating:
Summary: I think that this movie was a rather entertaining story
Review: This movie although vastly watered down still managed to keep my attention. I recomend this movie to anyone who likes to see club and party scenes. For a better story read the book which bascally tells a different but much more superior story.

Rating:
Summary: I don't care what the others say!
Review: I've both read this book and seen this movie. They're right who say it doesn't follow the book in "plot" (but then again if you read the book you'd realize it was one of those good books like "Catcher in the Rye" without a real "plot"- which wouldn't make too good a movie now would it?). This is a moving movie and the acting is brilliant most of the time, especially from Robert Downey Jr. He plays the part of the hopeless junky so well that it's almost eerie sometimes. Jamie Gertz did a good job playing the hypocritical yet caring friend who makes it her mission in life to protect the Downey Jr. character. And Andrew McCarthy puts off just the right mixture of depth of feeling and the detachment of an outsider who's been away for too long. The casting was great and they did what they could to make this a good movie, and succeeded. It was real, scary, intelligent, and suspensful. Watch it!

Rating:
Summary: Read the book instead!!!
Review: I finished reading "Less than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis a few months ago (which I really enjoyed) and thought I'd check out the movie. What a disappointment! Other than both being about rich kids in L.A., the movie is much more shallow than the book and doesn't follow the same plot.