The key piece of music in this sleek adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s debut novel is the Bangles’ cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter.” The sunny, poppy harmonies of the all-female band suit the folkies’ gloomy raver surprisingly well, at least if you assume that they’re singing about Los Angeles. That’s where freshman Clay (Andrew McCarthy) returns during Christmas vacation from college, falling back in with his wealthy, ne’er-do-well friends (Jami Gertz, Robert Downey Jr.).
Between numerous Christmas parties and other debauched get-togethers, Clay learns that he’s moved on, but his friends are still stuck in their self-destructive patterns. Alas, there’s no snow except for the kind that disappears up characters’ noses.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFV9yqC_a-Q]