Review #22 - Less Than Zero (1987)

Netflix says:

"When Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes home from college, he finds that his former girlfriend (Jami Gertz) and his best friend (Robert Downey Jr.) have established a relationship - and with it, a fondness for clubs, wild parties and endless amounts of cocaine. Based on the novel by Brett Easton Ellis, director Marek Kanievska's film explores the drug culture of wealthy teens and the downward spiral that can ensue when no one's watching."

Okay, dear reader, let's get it out there. Let's discuss our hero's PAST. (Pronounced 'pah-st' for maximum effectiveness).

I make a concerted effort NOT to consider RDJR's work since 2003 through the lens of his past lifestyle and issues. Have you watched E or read People or whatever your poison may be, and noticed that in every bleedin' mention of Tropic Thunder, Iron Man, Sherlock, etc...we have to throw in RDJR's PAST. "Oh, he's doing so well, having struggled through and conquered his PAST. You know he has a PAST, right? Well, if you don't recall, here's a few details about his PAST...oh, and while you are at it, go see Tropic Thunder."

Gimme a friggin' break. We all have a PAST. Maybe not as colorful, certainly not as public - but there it is. Maybe RDJR's publicist encourages it - maybe he himself doesn't even mind the discussion - but I say, for twinkie's sake, let it go. Most of that stuff happened 10+ years ago, people. Move on.

That being said...I can't help it with this film.

Watching "Less Than Zero" was a lot like watching Fat Elvis sing. Remember the Hawaii show, where Elvis was all bloaty and farty (must have been a foamy latte') and forgot words to songs he had been singing for 20 years? Well, at the time, the women in the audience were still all freaking out and tossing their panties on stage anyway, because after all, this is Elvis-The King. He might be a little pudgy, but we all know of his penchant for late-night mashed potatoes. And the words...well, he's a busy guy, you know, and can't be expected to remember EVERYTHING. After his death, even those who were willfully blinded to his obviously altered state on that stage could see that homeskillet had an issue with drug abuse. That's how this movie is. RDJR's performance was outstanding and worth herald...but watching it, I couldn't help but think of how his life was about to really, really imitate art. I had chills for the entire film, and at more than one point, really came close to just shutting it down. I dub this "Fat Elvis Syndrome".

Chalk another one up for science. I've invented a new syndrome.

How was the actual movie? Spader and RDJR, great. McCarthy, average. Gertz...why? I give it a 7.