I have always found drug movies a bit difficult to sit through because watching someone fall prey to addiction and debt, with no where left to turn and a future uncertain, isn't easy. Decadence in wealthy Los Angeles, cocaine the major drug of choice for the 80s generation, along with parties, clubs, high priced cars and fashion. Andrew MCarthy is off to college probably at an elite private school while Downey has wasted away a promising recording industry career and savings, now an addict with no options for life advancement. Jamie Gertz is a model with a coke problem. Gertz was McCarthy's girl until he left for college, her ending up in bed with Downey. She beckons him to return because Downey owes drug/smut dealer James Spader(a more lavish version)and is doomed unless he gets help--question is can Downey make it out of his current state? Better yet, how can McCarthy rescue him when Gertz herself is often high on coke? McCarthy and Gertz do rekindle their relationship, sexually and otherwise, while attempting to save their pal from Spader's grip. Downey exhausts all methods for getting out of $50,000 that belongs to Spader, a lot of dope the young man has went through over the course of 6 months, and, to be honest, his dealer has been cooperative regarding lack of payment. So Spader wants Downey to hook for him, agreeing to substitute the work for his drug debt. So the viewer is treated to an unflattering look at life of the affluent youth when they are out at night. Downey's downfall is all too credible and harrowing, his fate unfortunate, suffering through one of those excruciating experiences where he must "get clean", absolutely overcome with "the sickness". Downey was forbidden by his fed-up father to come home, finding himself sleeping on park benches. Watching him deteriorate, helpless as his own two friends, we are treated to his decline. With lush cinematography to compliment the beautiful people who populate the LA scene, masking the real ugliness of it all. "Rusty pipes" says it all. Film is loaded with a number of great rock and pop songs.

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.

Clay Easton (Andrew McCarthy),Blair (Jami Gertz) and Julian Wells (Robert Downey Jr.) are best friends graduating from high school. Julian uses his daddy's money to start a record company. Blair abandons her plans for college with Clay and sleeps with Julian. Six months later, Julian returns home from college for Christmas. Blair convinces Clay to help Julian who is in trouble. Julian lost all of the money and had to borrow from drug dealing school acquaintance Rip (James Spader).

This captures a certain superficial 80s L.A. decadence. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a big-time performance as a druggie mess. It is probably a bit of real life imitating art. James Spader has the perfect creepy sleaziness. McCarthy is still in the full bloom of his boyish charm. His problem is that he's a bit inferior for the part. He's not quite the leading man this role calls for. Jami Gertz does functional girlfriend acting. Downey is the key and he's great.