1987
R
Twentieth Century Fox
1 h 38 m

1987
R
Twentieth Century Fox
1 h 38 m

Summary A college kid (Andrew McCarthy) returns to Beverly Hills for the holidays at his ex-girlfriend's (Jami Gertz) request, but he discovers that his old best friend (Robert Downey Jr.) has an out-of-control drug habit and has become beholden to some really bad dudes. (James Spader et al) Great soundtrack includes tracks by L.L. Cool J. and ...

Directed By: Marek Kanievska

Written By: Bret Easton Ellis, Harley Peyton

1987
R
Twentieth Century Fox
1 h 38 m

1987
R
Twentieth Century Fox
1 h 38 m

Less Than Zero

Name: Less Than Zero
Genre: Crime, Drama
Released: 1987-11-06
Duration: 1 min 38 s
Rating: 48
Cast: Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey Jr., James Spader, Tony Bill

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

7.5

My Score

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Marek Kanievska

Written By: Bret Easton Ellis, Harley Peyton

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews

15% Positive
2 Reviews

54% Mixed
7 Reviews

31% Negative
4 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews

15% Positive
2 Reviews

54% Mixed
7 Reviews

31% Negative
4 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

100

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie's last 30 minutes are like a kick in the gut.

By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

The movie, directed by Marek Kanievska (Another Country), does have an ending, but it belongs on a lectern. It mechanically begs a lengthy list of questions in favor of a finger-wagging warning that purports to reveal the fate lying in wait for those who play with snow indoors, along with the rewards assigned to those who study hard back East, where it only snows outdoors. [6 Nov 1987]

By Jay Scott FULL REVIEW

Chicago Tribune

Despite the obvious talents of the stars-McCarthy is especially arresting-there is an empty feeling that we're taking a tour of a garish ghetto without a tour guide. [6 Nov 1987, p.55]

By Rick Kogan FULL REVIEW

Chicago Reader

Marek Kanievska (Another Country) directs with relentlessly fancy visuals in a series of opulent southern California settings; Ed Lachman's cinematography is letter perfect as always in its handling of light and color (assisted here by Barbara Ling's flashy production design), but it's a pity to see it wasted on such claptrap.

By Jonathan Rosenbaum FULL REVIEW

Variety

Only Downey elicits the kind of sympathy to distinguish this drama from a photojournalist essay of the kind that might run in Vanity Fair. Of the secondary roles, James Spader as Downey’s pusher is terrifically smarmy. Unfortunately, this sick relationship doesn’t become involving until the last third of the film, when Downey really begins to fall apart and is forced into male whoring to pay his drug debts. Visually the picture is a treat.

FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

Loosely based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, LESS THAN ZERO refuses to take the risks necessary to capture the keen social observation of the book.

FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

Less Than Zero, an aptly titled tale of snooty California drug snorters, is dumber and duller than primordial ooze. It's one of those silly speed-bumps-in-the-fast-lane laments, though it does have a significant message: Get off the freeway or take the last exit ramp to the Betty Ford Clinic in the sky.

By Rita Kempley FULL REVIEW

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User Reviews

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User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

7.5

76% Positive
13 Ratings

24% Mixed
4 Ratings

0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

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User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

7.5

76% Positive
13 Ratings

24% Mixed
4 Ratings

0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Twentieth Century Fox, Amercent Films, American Entertainment Partners L.P.

Release Date Nov 6, 1987

Duration 1 h 38 m

Rating R

Genres

Tagline In Beverly Hills, you can have anything your heart desires. You just can't have it the way it used to be.

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Awards

MTV Video Music Awards (VMA)

• 1 Nomination

Less Than Zero

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Andrew McCarthy

Clay

Jami Gertz

Blair

Robert Downey Jr.

Julian

James Spader

Rip

Tony Bill

Bradford Easton

Nicholas Pryor

Benjamin Wells

Donna Mitchell

Elaine Easton

Michael Bowen

Hop

Sarah Buxton

Markie

Lisanne Falk

Patti

Michael Greene

Robert Wells

Neith Hunter

Alana

Afton Smith

Kim

Brian Wimmer

Trent

Kelly Wolf

Lile

David Colby

Kid #3

Anthony Kiedis

Musician #3

Flea

Musician #1

Brittain Frye

Teenager #2

Jack Irons

Musician #4

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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