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Less Than Zero
1987 98 min United States of America R 16+
★6.3
Drama, Crime
Director: Marek Kanievska
🎭 Based on
«Less Than Zero»
byBret Easton Ellis
Trailers
Description
A college freshman returns to Los Angeles for Christmas at his ex-girlfriend's request, but discovers that his former best friend has an out-of-control drug habit.
Budget:
$8M
US Gross:
$12.4M
Worldwide:
$12.4M
Starring
Andrew McCarthy
Actor
Jami Gertz
Actor
Robert Downey Jr.
Actor
Awards
1 nomination
Key opinion
Less Than Zero is widely regarded as a harrowing, cautionary portrait of 1980s wealth and addiction, anchored by a transformative performance from Robert Downey Jr. While the film is praised for its emotional intensity and atmospheric power, it is frequently criticized for diverging from its source material and struggling with a somewhat uneven script.
| Acting | Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Julian is a haunting, career-defining performance that captures the agony of addiction with profound authenticity. | |
| Score | Thomas Newman's score creates a distinct, cold, and atmospheric aesthetic that elevates the film's emotional weight. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds in delivering a bleak, non-sentimental look at the destructive cycles of drug abuse and parental neglect among the wealthy. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation fails to capture the philosophical depth of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, shifting the narrative focus and flattening key characters. | |
| Screenplay | Critics are divided on the screenplay; while some appreciate its cautionary tone, others find the dialogue artificial and the supporting character arcs underdeveloped. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on pacing are split; the film's slow, contemplative tempo is seen by some as an effective stylistic choice, while others find it to be an exhausting viewing experience. |