Less Than Zero

Less Than Zero is a 1987 American film based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same title. It stars Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey JR, Jami Gertz and James Spader. The film is a cautionary expose on the 1980'S world of young wealthy college students and drug addiction of Los Angeles. The main draw of the film is that is a perfect time capsule of the music scene at the time. The pop friendly sounds of The Bangles covering Simon And Garfunkel, The headbanging hairband ballads of Poison and David Lee Roth, the classic rock (resurgence) of Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith and The Doors, the hardcore metal of Slayer and Danzig, the alternative rock of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cult and Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, the hip hop and rap of Run D.M.C., Public Enemy, and LL Cool J, and the classic melancholy rock of Roy Orbison. Keep reading to learn more about the film and it's soundtrack.

Even though the film is is R rated and not for kids, I saw it anyway when I was about 9  because my parents were busy raising three teenage daughters and to my good fortune I was able to get away with watching pretty much anything on cable. One of my sisters had the cassette soundtrack and it was constantly on her radio.

This is one of the few cases in which a soundtrack was clearly compiled with a particular theme in mind. The theme was to conjure up a time capsule for 1987. Rap/Hip Hop, alternative rock, heavy metal,thrash,new wave, and the resurgence of classic rock was in heavy rotation on MTV and radio during this time. Most of the credit should go to super producer Rick Rubin who is the co-founder of DEF JAM Records and worked with artists like The Beastie Boys, The Cult, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Slayer, Metallica, Dixie Chicks, Aerosmith, Weezer, AC/DC, Sheryl Crow, Adele, Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Eminem, Rage Against The Machine, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, U2 and Johnny Cash. Mr. Rubin was the creative force behind the soundtrack.

The author of Less Than Zero is Bret Easton Ellis who is famous for his novel "American Psycho". Both stories feel like they take place in the same world and if I remember correctly, some of his novels share some of the same characters. Ultimately, the film is a strong anti drug message and deals with the subject by not sugarcoating the effects of addiction.From showing the initial glamorous side, followed by the downward spiral and finally the point where all hope is lost.

Here is the complete list of the songs:
Glen Danzig- "You And Me"
Jimi Hendrix - "Fire"
The Bangles- "A Hazy Shade Of Winter"
Aerosmith- "Rocking Pneumonia and The boogie woogie flu"
Slayer "In-a-gadda-da-vida"
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts- "She's Lost You"
Public Enemy-"Bring The Noise"
LL Cool J- "Going Back To Cali"
Oran "Juice" Jones- "How To Love Again"
Roy Orbison- "Life Fades Away"
Run D.M.C.- "Christmas In Hollis"
David Lee Roth- "Bump n Grind"
Red Hot Chili Peppers- "Fight Like A Brave"
The Cult- "Lil Devil
The Doors "Moonlight Drive"
Poison "Rock and Roll All Night"

Click here to reserve a copy of Less Than Zero.

Thank you reading and enjoy,

Fred