Bright Lights, Big City (1988)

61% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(6,718 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 for… 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: James Bridges
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Apr 1, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Aug 5, 2003
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
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).
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Along the gruesome road to self-discovery, Bright Lights offers some entertaining, episodic, danceable highlights.
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.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
truth be told, nothing much happens other than a series of increasingly mortifying benders
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Pure '80s rock 'n' roll fun from start to finish.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
muddled but engaging
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
One of those DVDs that provides about the equivalent of watching the movie on late-night television.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Even when the story lingers at times, the central character is played so strongly that you can still stay with the film.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
This slice of New York yuppie angst is watchable, but forgettable.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Moves at a snails pace, but it's worthwhile sticking in for performances like this
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Not unlike its cousin, "Less Than Zero," this one's slick, well-acted, surface-deep, and enjoyably disturbing.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A fantastic cast, and a heavy drama, this is a good movie, it's very 80s, I really enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it..
Cassie H

A movie that will intrigue you and will pull you in and show you what its like to be a cocaine addict.
ashley h

This left much to be desired. I think Michael was miscast, but the plot and dialogue wasn't that great either. Some books should not be made into movies.
Sarah B

I just adore Michael J. Fox.
Haley A

I LOVE MJF!!!

Cast

            Michael J. Fox as Jamie Conway

            Kiefer Sutherland as Tad Allagash

            Phoebe Cates as Amanda

            Swoosie Kurtz as Megan

            Frances Sternhagen as Clara Tillinghast

            Tracy Pollan as Vicky

            John Houseman as Mr. Vogel

            Charlie Schlatter as Michael

            Jason Robards as Alex Hardy

            David Warrilow as Rittenhouse

            Dianne Wiest as Mother

            Alec Mapa as Yasu Wade

            William Hickey as Ferret Man

            James Babchak as Bartender at Disco

            Mike Bacarella as Bakery Man

            Michael Badalucco as Policeman

            Gina Belafonte as Kathy

            Josie Bell as Runway Model

            Peter Boyden as Maitre d'

            Marvin Braveman
            
            Alva Chinn as Runway Model

            Michael Fischetti as Mannequin Craftsman

            Leigh French
            
            Nicholas Guest
            
            Annabelle Gurwitch as Barbara

            Russell Horton as Walter Tyler

            Luisa Leschin
            
            Jessica Lundy as Theresa

            Kelly Lynch as Elaine

            David Hyde Pierce as Bartender at Fashion Show

            Maria Pitillo as Pony-Tail Girl

            Sam Robards as Rich Vanier

            Barbara Rucker as Elegant Lady

            Reni Santoni
            
            Wendy Schaal
            
            Jonathan Stark
            
            Susan Traylor as Leather Lady

            Zette Sullivan as Stevie

            Peter Maloney as Waiter

            Anna Mathias
            
            Peg Murray as Receptionist

            Marika Blossfeldt as Bald Girl

            Sheila Johnson as Runway Model

            Fred Newman
            
            Tracy Newman
            
            Pat Santino as Security Guard

            Marisol Massey as Runway Model

            Arnold Turner
            
See full cast