Clay, an eighteen-year-old freshman, comes back from his first term at a college in New Hampshire to spend his Christmas vacation with his broken-up wealthy family in Los Angeles. His former girlfriend, Blair, is now involved with his ex-best-friend, Julian. She warns Clay that Julian needs help: he is using a lot of cocaine and has huge debts. What follows is a look at the youth culture of wealthy post adolescents in Beverly Hills with a strong anti-drug message. Apart from the setting and the names, the film has very little to do with Bret Easton Ellis's book by the same title on which it was based.

Brad Pitt was paid $38 for his uncredited appearance.

Blair:
Did you talk to Julian yet?


Clay:
No.


Blair:
Clay, I asked you to talk to him.


Clay:
Okay, I'll call Betty Ford, you want me to get him a room, fine.


Blair:
No, just talk to him, I mean, he's your friend, too.


Clay:
It's funny. When you called me, I thought I was coming home to see you.

Continuity: In the party with all the TVs, Blair's hairstyle changes while she is talking to Clay.

Performed by The Bangles
Written by Paul Simon
Courtesy of Columbia Records