Less Than Zero (1987) - Forever Cinematic Movie Review
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- Опубліковано 17 гру 2014
- Less Than Zero (1987) - Movie Review
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Starring Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey, Jr., Jami Gertz, James Spader. Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Directed by Marek Kanievska. Review by Nick Michalak.
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Excellent review, you really captured the essence of the film in your viewing. Like someone else said, it IS good that you didn't read the book before doing this review. People always wanna knock the film based on the book.
You were spot on about everything but the score imo. Yea it was excellent work but in 20 years of watching this, I never got a Christmas vibe from the score. Instead it was an audible sadness and disconnect and loss of what once was between the characters. That que you hear throughout is so important to the tone of this film. Just perfect really
The ending of the movie, totally missed the point of the book. There's a scene in the book, Clay attends a Christmas party at Blair's. While discussing a recent movie someone says something along the lines of "didn't you find it annoying. That you'd have characters suddenly disappear from the movie" someone answers "that happens in real life" Clay is preoccupied with finding Julian the whole book . Their last meeting is by chance. And its as though Julian has already disappeared from Clays life. They are sitting together, but there is no connection. Julian hops in a car and disappears. Clays last meeting with Blair is very similar. There is a kind of melancholy about the book i definitely didn't feel when watching the movie. Disappear here. I'd love to see an accurate representation of this book made into a movie. What a challenge. Apologies for the rant. This has been one of my favourite books forever. Thanks for your review 😏🤟
Love your review!
I really like that you keep away from a lot of spoilers… especially those pertaining to the things on Julian’s path and destination.
In my humble opinion - this role is one of Robert Downey Jr.’s best… quite possibly The Best.
I have always wondered if this role was a possible catalyst for his future issues???
Regardless, it is a masterful performance!
The only thing I think you should have done, that you didn’t - is: When you briefly mentioned the musical score of the film -> imho… you should have gone a bit more in depth there. To the point of, at the very least, to have mentioned the actual “soundtrack” of the film. Honestly, with artists like Roy Orbison, Glenn Danzig, The Bangles, LL Cool J, and Slayer (just to name a few) - the soundtrack is well worth some discussion. Such as the fact that - Glenn Danzig - mister “punk” / “goth” / “heavy metal” ICON … co-wrote and performs the title track… under the moniker of Glenn Danzig And The Power And Fury Orchestra. It is an amazing track, and one that is more of a 1950’s ballad and very far removed from his “past/usual” punk / goth / metal sound. The other co-writer of -You And Me (Less Than Zero)- was none other than Rick Rubin!!! One of the founders of Def Jam Records, as well as founder of American Recordings, and a former president of Columbia Records!!! Further more -> Danzig also co-wrote a second track on the album called-Life Fades Away-. Again, a track far from Danzig’s normal fare. The track was co-written, and performed by Roy Orbison! Yet another AMAZING track. With the added facts that Danzig was a huge Roy Orbison fan, so - he got to work with one of his big influences… but then he also got to write a song with him and then get to experience the joy of knowing and hearing one of his idols record the song… and have another track on the same album!!! Also, what is a mixed blessing I’m sure, is the fact that it was also one of the last tracks that Roy Orbison ever recorded before he passed away (the next year). Also : both of the tracks that Danzig co-wrote / performed were done specifically for the soundtrack, and not just songs that were picked out and added into the film.
There are a lot more fun and interesting facts that I could (but won’t) go into. Someone could easily do an entire video on the soundtrack itself. I just wanted to pop up and say that I enjoyed your review of this fantastic movie, and throw out the suggestion of including a little more in depth information about the soundtrack.
So anyway… Thank You for making this video/review. I really like it, and appreciate you having made it.
The movie and the book are nothing alike. The Clay character does a lot of drugs throughout the book and is apathetic to all those around him. He's not on love with Blair, nor is he trying to save Julian. Julian is not a big character in the book. They seemed to combine the character of Finn and Rip into one character. Trent, who has a sizeable role in the book, has a brief cameo in the movie. The movie takes an extreme anti drug message while the book has no judgment
I love the book
I wish the movie was closer to the book. But it would have been a very different film.
I'd definitely love to see a new version of this movie.
Especially because Downey improved a lot on connecting with the audience, which as a relatively young actor I feel like he kind of lacked. I really like when movies and series treat topics like mental illnesses and addiction, and this one was everything but disappointing.
Awesome review. I'm actually glad you didn't read the novel. It helped you to judge this underrated film on its own without making any comparisons to the book like everyone else does. I must confess that although I liked Ellis' original story, I personally don't believe it's movie material in any way. Nor do I think a faithful adaptation would have been possible in the 1980s. Anyways, I would really love it if you reviewed Bad Influence. It also stars James Spader and has a visual style very similar to Less Than Zero's. Or better yet, how about American Psycho?
+SalVadorBrazil American Psycho could certainly be a possibility. I definitely love that film! Thanks!
I love James Spader too. One of the most charismatic actors alive.
I endorse this comment without even having to read it since it got upvotes.
What .. like you've never done it.
Bad influence is an underated film
Good job with the review. I always thought it was maybe unrealistic that all Clay's friends & people he knew changed that much in the 4 months clay was away at school. Rdj was really good in this. It's ironic he had such a bad drug addiction for years. He has one of the most inspirational recovery stories ever. So happy for him.
Great review for very underrated movie Nick. I saw it for the first time few days ago and i wanted to re-watch this video and leave a comment but i never could find the time. I heard about film couple times here and there but i wasn't interested in checking it out until i stumbled on old article about it while i was searching for info about other movie.
What is my opinion about the film? Like i said, i think it's very and undeservedly underrated and almost forgotten gem that not only shows the life style of that time in pretty realistic way but it also deals with problems like drug addiction in quite disturbing way (even if the movie was toned down in post production) and how it can literally ruin lives down to complete bottom. I too have unfortunately saw lot of people having substance abuse problems and let me tell you, it's not important is it drugs or alcohol, is it strong or weak, it will still turn the person's life into living hell not just for him, but also for others around him, it's bad enough when that person's problems ruins his friends life as well, but it's even worse when it hurts his family. The night time pool scene and scene where Julian is getting sick are ones that really reminded me on familiar situations that i had to witness, not even all the horrible scenes from Requiem For a Dream hit me so strong as those scenes did. That's why i think that Less Than Zero deserved more attention and it still does.
Besides this, i think that movie looks great thanks to direction and cinematography, this is seriously one of the more visually beautiful films i saw lately, even if it is almost 30 years old, and entire story and message of the film wouldn't work without all the actors who do a great job with their roles, and yes, Spader and Downey deserve lot of the praise for their work. And i absolutely must mention the Thomas Newman's score that i think really fits the film and is very atmospheric in some parts. As soon as i saw the film i got the score and i've been listening to it ever since.
My one problem with the film is how studio interfered in post production, took it away from director and cut it down and although the version that was released is still amazing piece of work, they should have just left director to do the film that he wanted to. From what i read, there was actually a much "stronger" cut of the film made but again, studio interference and apparently not so positive test screenings caused for it to be cut down. I seriously doubt that somebody will do like 30th anniversary or some similar special edition and that uncut version will be included, but if it does happen i sure would love to see it.
+Jack Craven Yeah, with this being a studio film it was going to be at the mercy of mass marketing, and thus, the subject matter would have to be toned down to a degree. Had this been adapted in the 90's as a small independent film they could've gone as dark as they would've wanted, but it's the give and take of the industry.
Very good review , especially the Spader bit , I'm gonna subscribe & check other reviews , Nick is a better reviewer than that guy in Rolling Stone Mag., I think this movie could have a remake ,it's a classic theme with moral undertones , this movie with a good indie director & a good casting could become a block buster now days .
Love your review. Also enjoy Ellis's novels. Reviue Rule of Attraction
I think you said it perfectly. Yes, it is very haunting even though my brush with that life was as a child. I'm dying to read the novel. Yes, it shook my spirit very much like Requiem for a dream. Yes, I would love to see how Ellis would make that movie today. Back then, they went as far as they possibly could without it being banned. I'm also curious of how a movie for Imperial bedrooms would turn out, since it is the sequel.
Book is awesome. Try an audio version it’s makes a difference. Wondering if this would be remade today would it be more loyal to the truth if the story.
James Spader was also in the 1987 movie Wall Street Directed by Oliver Stone Starring Both Martin and Charlie Sheen, Darryl Hannah and Michael Douglas as the villian Gordon Gecko Greed is good Greed works
I saw Less Than Zero when i was in 6th grade, and at thay age felt tje depth of honestly wannting to feel what Jul8an felt, as I was certain before i went to middle school, deeper understanding of life. I stopped reading by this point, i was part of the book club yet as much desire for depth, i felt either treated like a child or morso books cant show, and im in a book store soon after seein it and buying, I tead, "People are aftaid to merge...."
and its serimnly nothing like the movie, and Clay does coke and he has sex with guys and girls and Rip is a friend, There was no good guy bad guy, or easyvlove triangle and one day I asked my mother what v an orgasm was and the nrxt the C word, Whatbis that? I could no full comprehend it, and it was disturbing as if there was no depth and no freind , Clay, saving Juilian wheb some rich guy got him on heroin and the one of the parts I still look at sometimes is when Clay accomanies Julian pimping himself out to a rich business nan. Clay wztches to see the worst and, i thought it was because he lacked what Julian did, the gall to be the worst
as for the easy to make film on first person, presrnt tense narrative that didnt need a gargantuan budget Clay and Blair at end talking in a diner, and while Blair asks, "Did you ever love me?" Clay says, "no" and laughs, and while i did not really get it fully what occurred to me for first time ever was , Wow, youre allowed to write anything, any feeling, thought, those places that hurt. on a piece of paper,
just finished my new novel after not writing for close to a decade, i was trlling this to poet, Gigenheim recipient and my friend filmmaker. The poet would tell me what book did tjat for him,
and if you read, Huck Finn, Catcher in the Rye, Less than Zero comes next and pick up Bright Lights, Big City" while youre at it.
Very much a Busman's Holiday for Robert Downey Jr. Haha.