Less Than Zero (1987)

(First 15 minutes of the film)

Clay: “Just leave with me! There’s no reason for you to stay. Not here, not in LA.”
Julian: “Jesus! Do I look like I’m ready for homework?”

One of my favorite films that also shares a spot on my favorite holiday movie list. Though not exactly an expected holiday choice, it is set during the holidays, and reminds me of a certain time in my life, the people who were a part of that time, and a certain holiday season back in 1989 that mirrors some of the moments in this film. The memories it evokes, they are not all good ones, nor all they all bad either, they are life moments from my life, my history, a significant part of my story.

The film, and the characters, especially Blair and Julian, break my heart. I have been Blair to a Julian, and have lost the Julian that was in my life, and I know what kind of love, and what kind of pain that entails. Julian, played by one of my all-time favorite actors, Robert Downey, Jr., is also one of my all-time favorite film characters, even though he makes me so heartbroken and angry during this film – I still feel so deeply for the character, am moved by him, and in many ways, understand him. Blair, too, and Clay, to a lessor extent.

The ending slays me, and leaves me in a mess of tears, every time. Even just playing the Roy Orbison song from the ending has me in tears.

Hazy Shade of Winter :: The Bangles

Life Fades Away :: Roy Orbison