Disappear Here discussion

The Less than Zero movie was my introduction to Bret Easton Ellis. Actually, it was a negative review of the movie in Leonard Maltin's movie review book that prompted me with the line "based on the book by Bret Easton Ellis."

So I saw the film first and liked it. I was less discerning of preachy fluff in the 7th grade. So then I read the book and was blown away....

But I've still got a soft spot for the movie. Nice-looking sets. Sleazy performance by James Spader and I dig some of the super-dramatic score music.

Thoughts?

Jaimie Gertz is a grotesque actress and ruined the whole movie.

"But do I look good?"

My point exactly!

The ultra-sanitized storyline is a problem too with the drug people going nowhere with their nightclubs and their coke while the squeaky clean college guy rails against the drug use, talking endlessly about how he can't wait to get out of there....

It feels lifted from a D.A.R.E skit you'd sit through in middle school.

You have to admit. Considering it was released in 1987, it looks crisp and polished, especially if you then go to youtube and watch the theatrical trailer for Bright Lights Big City.

The sort of happy ending was the worst.

I remember Roger Avary (director of Rules of Attraction) made a comment on his blog a long time ago about the ending. He said that awful scene on the park bench had "studio rewrite" written all over it.