Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
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61% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
37% of users liked it
(6,830 ratings)
Michael J. Fox once more makes a courageous effort to shed his nice-guy image in Bright Lights, Big City. Fox plays an impressionable Kansan who comes to the Big Apple to take a job at a major magazine. It isn't long before he falls into the twin traps of drug and alcohol abuse. His only hope… More Michael J. Fox once more makes a courageous effort to shed his nice-guy image in Bright Lights, Big City. Fox plays an impressionable Kansan who comes to the Big Apple to take a job at a major magazine. It isn't long before he falls into the twin traps of drug and alcohol abuse. His only hope for redemption is in the hands of Vicky (Tracy Pollan), the cousin of his scuzzy drinking buddy Tad (Kiefer Sutherland). Jay McInerney's bestselling novel does not translate easily to the big screen, but Fox strives hard to please, as do all of his costars. The white stuff snorted by Fox wasn't really cocaine, but powdered milk. Watch for Frasier's David Hyde Pierce in a small role and Jason Robards in a significant unbilled cameo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Bridges
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Apr 1, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Bridges may not have breathed fire into this material, but he has preserved most of its better qualities. He has treated it with intelligence, respect and no undue reverence, assembling a coherent film that resists any hint of exploitation.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The movie is like a Porsche outfitted with a lawn mower engine; there's not even enough juice to get the machine out of the driveway.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fox is very good in the central role (he has a long drunken monologue that is the best thing he has ever done in a movie).
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Along the gruesome road to self-discovery, Bright Lights offers some entertaining, episodic, danceable highlights.
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Flyblown, devoid of pace and heat; it's such a mortician's slab that it's hard to even tell if the Fox performance is wasted on it, though I suspect it is.
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Cast
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Michael J. Fox
as Jamie Conway
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Kiefer Sutherland
as Tad Allagash
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Phoebe Cates
as Amanda
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Swoosie Kurtz
as Megan
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Frances Sternhagen
as Clara Tillinghast
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Tracy Pollan
as Vicky
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John Houseman
as Mr. Vogel
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Charlie Schlatter
as Michael
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Jason Robards
as Alex Hardy
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David Warrilow
as Rittenhouse
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Dianne Wiest
as Mother
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Alec Mapa
as Yasu Wade
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William Hickey
as Ferret Man
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James Babchak
as Bartender at Disco
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Mike Bacarella
as Bakery Man
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Michael Badalucco
as Policeman
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Gina Belafonte
as Kathy
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Josie Bell
as Runway Model
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Peter Boyden
as Maitre d'
- Marvin Braveman
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Alva Chinn
as Runway Model
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Michael Fischetti
as Mannequin Craftsman
- Leigh French
- Nicholas Guest
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Annabelle Gurwitch
as Barbara
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Russell Horton
as Walter Tyler
- Luisa Leschin
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Jessica Lundy
as Theresa
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Kelly Lynch
as Elaine
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David Hyde Pierce
as Bartender at Fashion Show
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Maria Pitillo
as Pony-Tail Girl
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Sam Robards
as Rich Vanier
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Barbara Rucker
as Elegant Lady
- Reni Santoni
- Wendy Schaal
- Jonathan Stark
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Susan Traylor
as Leather Lady
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Zette Sullivan
as Stevie
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Peter Maloney
as Waiter
- Anna Mathias
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Peg Murray
as Receptionist
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Marika Blossfeldt
as Bald Girl
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Sheila Johnson
as Runway Model
- Fred Newman
- Tracy Newman
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Pat Santino
as Security Guard
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Marisol Massey
as Runway Model
- Arnold Turner
