About Less Than Zero

Less Than Zero is a 1987 American drama film that was directed by Marek Kanievska, and loosely based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. The film centers on a college freshman, Clay, who returns home to Los Angeles for Christmas to find his ex-girlfriend, Blair, and his high school best friend, Julian—all of whom had been part of the wealthy, hard-partying Beverly Hills crowd—have spiraled into drug addiction.

Making / Production

The screenplay was written by Harley Peyton, and produced by Jon Avnet and Jordan Kerner, with a mesmerizing cinematographic delivery by Edward Lachman. The film was a box office success, but received mixed reviews critically.

Actors

• Andrew McCarthy as Clay Easton: He gives an intense performance as a college freshman who struggles to save his friend from drug addiction.
• Robert Downey Jr. as Julian Wells: Downey compellingly portrays a drug-addicted party boy spiraling out of control.
• Jami Gertz as Blair: As Clay's ex-girlfriend, Gertz offers a haunting performance of a young woman stuck in a toxic environment.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's title refers to a state of being neither dead nor alive, taken from the Elvis Costello song of the same name.
• This film was one of the first to tackle the subject matter of cocaine addiction in the 1980s.

Awards

The movie did not receive any major awards.

Quotes

• "Disappear here." - Julian Wells
• "You look like shit, man!" - Clay Easton
• "You could've called." - Blair

Music/Soundtrack

• "Brilliant Disguise" by Bruce Springsteen
• "Wrap It Up" by Sam & Dave
• "Less Than Zero" by Elvis Costello