Less Than Zero (1987)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

In this episode of Shat the Movies, we tackle Less Than Zero (1987), where college freshman Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes back to LA to find his ex, Blair (Jami Gertz), and his childhood buddy, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), deep into cocaine addiction With Julian owing money to the ruthless dealer Rip (James Spader), Clay's mission to help them clean up reveals the wild side of '80s excess. Join us as we dig into the intense story, killer performances, and the movie's spot in the Brat Pack era, all set to an unforgettable soundtrack.

Plot Summary:

In the 1987 drama Less Than Zero, directed by Marek Kanievska and based on Bret Easton Ellis's controversial novel, Andrew McCarthy stars as Clay, a clean-cut college freshman who returns home to Los Angeles for Christmas break. He is immediately pulled back into the troubled world he left behind, filled with the excesses and temptations of the wealthy, decadent 1980s elite. At the center of this world are his two close friends: Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), a charming but self-destructive young man battling a severe drug addiction, and Blair (Jami Gertz), Clay's former girlfriend who is now romantically involved with Julian.

Clay is quickly confronted with the devastating consequences of his friends' choices. Julian, once a promising entrepreneur, is now deeply in debt to a ruthless drug dealer named Rip (James Spader). As Julian spirals further into his addiction, Clay is torn between his desire to help his friend and his growing frustration with the hedonistic lifestyle that seems to be consuming everyone around him. Blair, caught in her own struggles, pleads with Clay to stay and help save Julian, forcing Clay to face the harsh realities of addiction and the consequences of unchecked privilege.

As the trio navigates a world filled with drugs, parties, and moral decay, Clay must decide how far he's willing to go to save his friends from themselves. The film offers a stark look at the hollow core of a generation lost in the pursuit of pleasure and materialism, set against the backdrop of a glittering but soulless Los Angeles.

Less Than Zero is a haunting exploration of friendship, loss, and the dark side of 1980s excess. Join our podcast review as we examine this gritty drama and discuss whether its portrayal of youthful disillusionment and moral ambiguity still resonates with audiences today.

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