I guess that we all know about Robert Downey, Jr.'s struggle with substance abuse in real life that nearly cost him his career. I guess that gave him a unique insight into the mind of his character in Less Than Zero.
Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Downey are all friends from high school and Gertz has romantic history with both of them. When his freshman year at college concludes, McCarthy gets an anxious summons from Gertz concerning Downey, but she's kind of cryptic about it. When McCarthy gets home he sees enough for himself.
What he sees and we see is a harrowing portrait of a totally degenerated soul due to the drugs he's doing. All the lies and promises to kick the habit, the way he keeps coming back for more, even trying to con drug money on the pretense of a business loan. Downey with a jones is a pretty frightening fellow.
Also in the cast is another brat packer of note James Spader who usually in his salad days was a nice kid. Not here, Spader has gone into the drug trade big time and he's quite ruthless as I guess you have to be. What he has Downey doing for his fix in lieu of cash is pretty scary.
Thank God for Robert Downey, Jr. in real life it worked out far better than it does for his character here.
Less Than Zero is a pretty frightening portrayal of addiction and degeneracy, not for family viewing, but a great film.
Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Downey are all friends from high school and Gertz has romantic history with both of them. When his freshman year at college concludes, McCarthy gets an anxious summons from Gertz concerning Downey, but she's kind of cryptic about it. When McCarthy gets home he sees enough for himself.
What he sees and we see is a harrowing portrait of a totally degenerated soul due to the drugs he's doing. All the lies and promises to kick the habit, the way he keeps coming back for more, even trying to con drug money on the pretense of a business loan. Downey with a jones is a pretty frightening fellow.
Also in the cast is another brat packer of note James Spader who usually in his salad days was a nice kid. Not here, Spader has gone into the drug trade big time and he's quite ruthless as I guess you have to be. What he has Downey doing for his fix in lieu of cash is pretty scary.
Thank God for Robert Downey, Jr. in real life it worked out far better than it does for his character here.
Less Than Zero is a pretty frightening portrayal of addiction and degeneracy, not for family viewing, but a great film.