Not one likeable character and no story!

Last night I re-watched the movie ( I fast-forwarded through many parts), but I will say that there is some character progression, and the movie is a bit more nuanced than what i thought on first viewing.

it could have been a good movie, in fact the fast forwarding made it fairly good.

With such an asshat for a dad, I thought Tim was plenty likable as someone you could sympathize with.

Plus, at the Beverly Hilton funeral wake Tim was the one with some empathy, first when trying to prevent Martin from spilling to Graham Bruce's involvement with his girlfriend. Then when he mentioned someone should speak to Ray after he broke down and ran to the bathroom.

Though Ray also possessed "empathy", his was simply too over the top and obviously misplaced and he too much of annoying toolish putz to be being likable.

Some fellows get credit for being conservative when they are only stupid.
- Kin Hubbard

"Don't like it, don't watch it. Stop complaining!"


Why not??? Isn't that what message boards are for? Don't like my post? Stop reading it! The movie sucks and I don't mind sharing my opinion. If you think it's great, start your own thread (I won't make it to the party though).

I was expecting more character development along the lines of Less Than Zero. No James Spader or Robert Downey here. Who are these people. I'm a big fan of Billy Bob and Kim Basinger. Other than that, the characters are disgusting and I hate to think people actually behave this way.

When you're making a movie about shallow people, why would you want to be emotionally connected to unlikable characters, and really care about what happens to them? I prefer to laugh at the ironies. For example, I could be off, but they named this movie the informers after the band in the movie, but given that the movie takes place in Hollywood and everyone was connected to the "media" those people that provide us information, art, truth, comedy, etc. via tv, movies, radio and newspapers... Doesn't it seem funny that the people "artists" giving us keen insights about the world and our inner selves, telling us what to fight for, how to feel, have no morals, humanity, etc., have nothing really to show us? Not true, I would say, but still a funny thought, especially since its a sort of self-vitiating claim from the writers' perspective too. I love when Martin almost laughs in surprise at his friend, Graham, who incidentally is a drug dealer, for "caring" about what's happening with his diseased "girlfriend." There were a few quite comical moments. As for Billy Bob's character wanting Kim Basinger and Winona Ryder... it's hard to blame him, although it doesn't seem like he could handle anyone. The whole kidnapping storyline I think could have been dropped, although I suppose in some thematic sense, it relates to the whole in that most of the characters lack any moral struggle, except the aspiring actor. I love the lack of remorse, lack of character, concern, morality, self-awareness... quite fitting, except I think cynical. Most people aren't like these people. I think most people have some sense of morality, remorse, concern, internal struggle, etc. What we people tend to lack is empathy, insight and wisdom. Why? They're too vague and philosophical, so forget it. Let's watch football... except that you know, the highest number of sexual assaults take place on SuperBowl Sunday every year, at least that's what one of my teachers told me. Maybe he was wrong.

When you're making a movie about shallow people, why would you want to be emotionally connected to unlikable characters, and really care about what happens to them? I prefer to laugh at the ironies. For example, I could be off, but they named this movie the informers after the band in the movie, but given that the movie takes place in Hollywood and everyone was connected to the "media" those people that provide us information, art, truth, comedy, etc. via tv, movies, radio and newspapers... Doesn't it seem funny that the people "artists" giving us keen insights about the world and our inner selves, telling us what to fight for, how to feel, have no morals, humanity, etc., have nothing really to show us? Not true, I would say, but still a funny thought, especially since its a sort of self-vitiating claim from the writers' perspective too. I love when Martin almost laughs in surprise at his friend, Graham, who incidentally is a drug dealer, for "caring" about what's happening with his diseased "girlfriend." There were a few quite comical moments. As for Billy Bob's character wanting Kim Basinger and Winona Ryder... it's hard to blame him, although it doesn't seem like he could handle anyone. The whole kidnapping storyline I think could have been dropped, although I suppose in some thematic sense, it relates to the whole in that most of the characters lack any moral struggle, except the aspiring actor. I love the lack of remorse, lack of character, concern, morality, self-awareness... quite fitting, except I think cynical. Most people aren't like these people. I think most people have some sense of morality, remorse, concern, internal struggle, etc. What we people tend to lack is empathy, insight and wisdom. Why? They're too vague and philosophical, so forget it. Let's watch football... except that you know, the highest number of sexual assaults take place on SuperBowl Sunday every year, at least that's what one of my teachers told me. Maybe he was wrong.

Is no one here familiar with Ellis's works?

Agreed - I rented this movie the other night - didn't even bother finishing it. Mores the better for that according to my local video store owner, he said no one who had rented it liked it and he can't even give his stock away.

Sadly this is a great example of why 'Hollywood' is in decline and the European / Eastern film industries are expanding - they are giving people films they want to see.

Dude, Brad Renfro was never in the same LEAGUE as River Phoenix.

River was already being feted as the "Next Big Thing" in the midst of filming IWAV opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt when he up and OD'd. Renfro never came close to approaching such heights, being more a "Never Was" and "Nor Could He Ever Be". River's potential was more in line with Heath Ledger's actualized talent and to even try and even put him in the same category as Renfro is just perverse.

Some fellows get credit for being conservative when they are only stupid.
- Kin Hubbard

Did anyone on here actually live in the 80's? I did and even though I don't remember people being this shallow, I know it was out there. My cousin went to Hollywood in the mid 80's and came back a completely different person. It's as if the life was sucked out of him. I never really talked to him about it but I know he experienced some of the stuff these characters do. I thought it was an excellent movie about living excessively and not giving a damn about the future.