As a Gen-Xer myself, I was, and still am always mesmerized by this movie. As a lower middle class 17 year old when it came out, I was mesmerized at the realization of how the other half lived, and adolescents my age dealing with very adult issues. The soundtrack is just great, and Thomas Newman's sublime score is at least 90% of why I still love this movie. Now in my 50's, watching Julian's struggles has become synonymous with the struggle of aging, the changing world, and lost youth, a sorrow which is so emotionally captured in the score. Julian dies in time, like my youth, remaining 18 years old forever, while Clay and Blair go on to experience the future and adulthood together. It's in every way a movie that captures the zeitgeist of the period. I never read the book, but I'm glad I didn't. For me, I'll take "sentimental and hopelessly earnest" over "dark satire and dispassionate" any day. Life's too short.

I saw this in the theater when it came out and I think the thing we often forget about older movies is the era they came out governs the approach the director could take. All the blatant sex and drug use was shocking, because that was fairly new in cinema. I think if it had been directed in the style of American Psycho and faithful to the book, it would have been kept out of theaters. This was the era of Regan and the War on Drugs. Without the "just say no" message this never would have seen the light of day- or received funding to be made.

This is my favorite Christmas movie. That doesn't mean it's good, I just love it

One of my fave 80’s flicks ..the boys are adorably cute & the soundtrack is 80’s awesome !!

Great review. I too thought the director did a great job of consistently Illustrating how empty life was in their lap of luxury. At the outset I wanted to live Clay’s life. By the end the pros and cons seemed kinda of a zero sum.

I had just started working my first movie-theatre job just before this movie came out. Most of us liked it. Many critics panned it like crazy, including one who thought Roger Ebert was too lenient when he gave the movie 4 stars. Us Magazine once said, since the movie came out in November, something like 'tis the season for turkeys, such as Less Than Zero. They, or other critics, said it lived up to its title LOL. The sex scene was a noteworthy highlight to a lot of us.

this movie is worth it for the guitar riff that kicks off the Bangles' cover alone. I was way too young to understand this movie when I saw it. I think I get it now.

Great Original Soundtrack album!

Love love love tuff turf! I have it on VHS. But then as an 80s girl, my absolute favs are James spader and RDJ. ❤❤

All right. Who here was convinced that Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t acting in this movie?

yeah this book was harrowing and sad, after seeing one film clip where the characters seemed legitimately invested in each other I knew something was wrong.

This movie is unintentionally funny because I keep thinking of Weekend at Bernie's.

" It's like watching a 90 minute block of MTV circa 1987 " I totally agree.

Personally I think this is one of the coolest films ever, amazing visuals and a beautiful/haunting score by Thomas Newman. Although McCarthy & Gertz turn in solid performances, Spader & Downey are simply next level and steal every scene they’re in !!

I just read the book twice. There is very little continuity between it and the film. Rip wasnt Julian's dealer in the book, Julian didn't die of an overdose, Clay knew Julian was a prostitute and was in a hotel room watching while he was getting drilled in the pooper, Blair drove Clay home from the Airport, Clay was bisexual. There was also a part in the book where they were sitting around watching a Pedo snuff film. Rip also had a 12 year old heroin addict tied to his bed that was raped repeatedly by anyone and everyone. The book is way darker than the movie.

I read this book in one sitting in Barnes and Noble. I felt like I stole it.

James Spader is often left off “Best” lists & it’s maddening. He portrayed the guy you love to hate better than anyone else in the 80’s. He just nailed the young, entitled, wealthy asshole who doesn’t give AF. I absolutely considered him smarmy until Sex, Lies & Videotape and White Castle. Your heart breaks for his vulnerability in both movies. I never thought of him again in the same light. Icon who never gets the accolades he deserves 🌹

James Spader never got the credit he deserved.

Top 5 in my 80s teen/young adult films. The movie earns extra points for Going back to cali and hazy shade of winter.

Awesome channel!

Another absolutely fantastic review! I can’t tell you how much I enjoy revisiting my youth through your insightful analysis! Thank you!

I saw this movie when I was 14 in 1988 when it was released on VHS. Yea, remember those. LOL. Certainly blew my mind, especially at that age. Still absolutely love that movie.

5:17 That balcony sequence was incredibly shot! As you’ve stated, the film misses the novel’s tone but man, does it look good 🎬🍿🤩

I’m convinced the voice of the man telling students, “Congratulations, class of 87!” at the very beginning of the movie is actor Richard Masur, although I haven’t found any information to confirm this on IMDB, or any other website.

HI Morgan, great GREAT review. I'm glad a found your channel. I was looking for exactly this kind of content. I'm a visual communicator passionate about films and film language. And obviously a Gen X trying to make sense of myself and that era. This is my take on the Penguin Room Scene: "That was a great scene, great performances. It still is relevant and shocking. It still conveys the horrible hollowness of the era and the decease (Addiction). Great, great performances. The evasion and the tension at the same time. Really really good scene."

Just discovered your channel and I love it. Looking forward to having a thorough trawl through the rest of your videos now. Please keep up the great work! :)

I re-visit this movie when I need to be reminded of the short-lived enjoyment of freebase and the very real risk of it stopping the human heart.

1985 graduated... Cocaine everywhere... Kind of true to the time. Its the way it was..I'd give it a 8/10

Loved your review. I have seen many of Less Than Zero reviews, but yours is spot on, and superb. A+.

After reading the book.... The film was something of a disappointment. I cannot agree with your take on the movie version of American Psycho.... it’s a disaster. The book is basically unfilmable.

I just want you to know that I upvoted this vid just because you were reviewing maybe my favorite movie with Robert Downey Jr ever.

its one of my favorite 80s movies. why is it not on blu ray???!!!

Thank you!

Agree with your assessment.

The characters in this movie exist in any city with a large upper elite class. I'm watching this tonight as I think about all the discussion this time of year of what a Christmas movie is and what one isn't. I don't care to debate that but the movie's setting came to mind. I also really like the breezy, sunny (if sunshine can have a sound) synth sounds in Thomas Newman's score. Another favorite of his is the one for "Josh and S.A.M." in 1993.

There is a huge gap between now and the last time i saw it

FWIW, I think a faithful adaptation is a bit too grim for any American audience in any era. Maybe a French audience.

I just read the book a few weeks ago and I really liked it lol I don't know it's just so good! thank you for this analysis. I will check the film out

Personally, I feel this film begs to be redone by "Neon Demon"'s Wingding Reitling. A NC-17 A24 Studio remake beckons, imo.

Good review.

This movie is actually Iron Man Zero!

I think that there are two kinds of opinion holders in reard to the Less Than Zero movie. Those who read the book first and those who did not. And I get viewpoint of those who were fans of te book.This was not at all the plot of te book. These were not really the characters of the book. So it's natural to respond with "What the hell is this???" n other words, the book ruined it for you. But the second group (whi didn't read the book first) went into the movie without preconceptions saw the fashion, the beautiful cinematography, the amazing 80s soundtrack, and the good performances. Those thought, "what's not to like?" And I think as time goes on, the movie becomes that much more of a time capsule of the 1980s.

This is ine of the timelines where the Avengers don't win :)

There's a gap in this video.

This and all Bret Easton Ellis was our bible… it was our live

How did they rule the multiplex? Their movies were flopping

My mom still is a purist, including about Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars, Outlander, etc., etc., etc.

The book is waaay too dark

he couldnt stay off the drugs🤦

🤔 Don't think a faithfull adaptation of LTZ was possible unless it would have been a total arthouse film. Rip clearly delighted profaning Julian. Somekind of evil thrill to turn straight guy into gay prostitution. This was the 80's and every gay character was portrayed either as a leech or a tragedy.

Movie is basically nothing like the book, and they used crappy music instead of an LA punk rock soundtrack like they should have done. Also Clay and Blair are both blonde and much less chummy in the book. The movie is saved from quivering lip syndrome only by the convincing bond between Downey and Spader. Cutting out all of Clay's family removes one of the key drivers to his disaffection. Stick to the audiobook - it's read by the author and stays true to the book :)

Less Than Zero is so Negative :)