Hollywood keeps turning them out – Hot young hunks and the latest, Robert Downey Jr. loves critics.

CRITICS - everyone's got them and everyone hates at least one of them, particularly actors. But there is an exception and no, he's not a masochist. His name: Robert Downey Jr. His occupation: One of Hollywood's fastest, rising young stars.

Robert is almost fond of critics, even though he has had his fair share of abuse heaped upon him. One influential Los Angeles commentator described him as sounding like Pee Wee Herman coming out of a coma in the dreadful Johnny Be Good.

"Well, I think sometimes they are right," said Robert. "It's funny. I usually agree with the one critic who saw most of my shortcomings. Because you know you get enough of good news while you're shooting, people telling you how well it's going. No-one has ever come back after seeing the rushes and said, 'You sucked'. Everything's always going to be just fine. Sometimes it's constructive to hear some criticism."

And let's fact it, he has managed to rack up an impressive number of wonderful screen credits that only make audiences, critics and Robert himself, wonder what he'd be like in a decent film.

The edited Downey resume is: the only John Hughes teen flick to bomb, Weird Science, a featured player in Saturday Night Live in 1985-86, which was one of the show's worst seasons ever, the male lead in The Pick-Up Artist, a project Warren Beatty was initially involved in, only to withdraw his name from the screen credits, and a supporting role in Less Than Zero, a glossy, cliched portrait of decadent Los Angeles youth.

Robert defends himself by saying, "It wasn't like I was doing Weird Science and something else. That was the only thing that was offered. I was completely broke and very hungry." Although he adds, "I'm not sure I've been in a real good movie. It'd be nice to try that. I'd like you know, to be in one of those films where at the end you go, 'Yeah'."

But Robert just may have satisfied all of the fans, critics and himself with one of the trio of films being released this year.

True Believer directed by Joe Rueben, who's last film was the critically acclaimed The Step-Father, is the story of a cynical, burnt-out 60's activist lawyer, played by James Woods, who's conscience and pugnacious spirit is jolted back into action by a suspicious case, and an idealistic, yuppie lawyer, played by Robert. The film (which Robert admits is his favourite piece of work) is an intelligent blend of classic courtroom drama, suspense and a sweet buddy relationship between the two main characters.

Robert has great admiration for his Oscar-nominated co-star. "With Woods, I was just sucking up as much as I could because he's the greatest actor in the world." Then, Robert says, "We had a lot of fun. He's the wicked wit of the West."

His goofy charm, and sense of humour show themselves in full force when Robert describes standards he used for rating how enjoyable a film was to work on. "To me, I look back and count how many times I was stricken to the floor with laughter."

"I can be such a flake. I don't mean to be, it's just that sometimes I don't really give a shit about anything except my girlfriend and my family and having a lot of laughs and maybe, like, having some great sushi."

His hip attitude can be traced to his father, underground director Robert Downey. In his father's latest film, Rented Lips, Robert plays a porno star named Wolf Dangler, who wears fishnet underwear. For added authenticity, Robert stuffed his crotch full of toilet paper. Robert Sr.'s next project is as Robert excitedly explains, "a film about the making of the A-bomb in conjunction with the birth of rhythm and blues music. It's called The Big Bang." He proudly adds, "I think he's the best director for me to work with because he knows me so well."

Robert politely refuses suggestions that having a famous dad helped his career.

"I think parts were usually harder to get. My dad stood up at the Directors Guild and told them all to go fuck themselves. So it wasn't like he was helping me get jobs."

Instead Robert did it by himself, quitting school in the 11th grade, moving to New York and working as a busboy, while making the rounds at directors' and casting agents offices. His humour did not always go over well. Upon meeting Robert Conrad for a TV show, he was asked, "How do you support yourself when you're not working as an actor?" Downey's reply: "My spine." (Mr Conrad was not amused).

In New York, he met his current girlfriend, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, a willowy blonde with a mass of ringlet curls, who's appeared in Square Pegs and Dada is Death. The two have moved into a Spanish-deco house that was built for Charlie Chaplin. Robert is very happy there, but he's worried that his cat has urinated on the new leather couch. "Maybe I'm not spending enough quality time with him." Robert is totally devoted to Sarah, and he views marriage as inevitable, although he adds, "Not unlike Iranscam, it's kind of a failed policy."

For kicks Robert likes to drive his new car, a black BMW L6635 CSI with racing car suspension. And he vows to have forsaken any vices like drugs or driving too fast.

Whatever he's doing, Robert's doing it well. Last year when he was part of a young actors' troupe travelling across the States drumming up voter registration, Robert's popularity was second only to Rob Lowe's.

For now Robert will concentrate on his burgeoning film career which is succeeding despite the many washouts that have been placed in front of it. The indominable Downey is unstoppable. After all, he's got screen presence, and acting ability - two handy talents.