Less Than Zero

Less than Zero is a 1987 American drama film directed by Marek Kanievska, loosely based on the 1985 novel by Bret Easton Ellis. The film stars Andrew McCarthy as Clay, a college freshman returning home for Christmas to spend time with his ex-girlfriend Blair (Jami Gertz) and his friend Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), both of whom have become drug addicts. The film explores the culture of wealthy, decadent youth in Los Angeles. Less than Zero received mixed reviews among critics. Ellis hated the film initially, but his view of it later softened, stating that the film bore no resemblance to his novel and feels that it was miscast apart from Downey and James Spader.