Light of Day (1987)

58% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(676 ratings)

A brother and sister grapple with family and lifestyle issues in this rock-n-roll drama. Real-life rocker Joan Jett stars as Patti Resnick, an unwed mother who sings and plays guitar in a Cleveland bar band with her brother Joe (Michael J. Fox). Estranged from her parents and struggling to make ends… More A brother and sister grapple with family and lifestyle issues in this rock-n-roll drama. Real-life rocker Joan Jett stars as Patti Resnick, an unwed mother who sings and plays guitar in a Cleveland bar band with her brother Joe (Michael J. Fox). Estranged from her parents and struggling to make ends meet, Patti decides to dive headlong into a carefree rock-n-roll lifestyle. Good-guy Joe pulls away from music to provide some stability for her tiny son. It takes a family crisis to bring Patti back home and force her to face the prickly past with her devoutly Christian mother (Gena Rowlands). Despite a somewhat thin story, the film has solid performances all around, most especially from the refreshingly compelling Jett. Bruce Springsteen penned the title song. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Paul Schrader
Written By: Paul Schrader
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1987 Wide
Studio: TAFT Entertainment Pictures

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
A pure time capsule of '80s rock 'n' roll energy. Joan Jett is perfectly cast.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Your typical 80s nightmare. Fox does NOT work as a rock star.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Not bad for a movie tainted by "workin' man" Springsteen.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
The "Back to the Future" sequel couldn't come any sooner

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 drama with a great cast and a realistic story. One of my favourite drama films of the decade. Plus it's interesting to see Joan Jett in a movie. I highly recommend it.

Cast

            Michael J. Fox as Joe Rasnick

            Gena Rowlands as Jeanette Rasnick

            Joan Jett as Patti Rasnick

            Michael McKean as Bu Montgomery

            Thomas G. Waites as Smittie

            Cherry Jones as Cindy Montgomery

            Michael Dolan as Gene Bodine

            Paul Harkins as Billy Tettore

            Billy L. Sullivan as Benji Rasnick

            Jason Miller as Benjamin Rasnick

            Del Close as Dr. Natterson

            Ron Dean as Mourner

            Jerry Gideon as Sean

            Yvette Heyden as Laurie

            Tom Irwin as Reverend Ansley

            Maureen Mueller as Trainee Nurse

            David Pasquesi as Sophomore

            Barbara E. Robertson as Arguing Woman

            Michael Rooker as Oogie

            Ann Whitney as Older Nurse

            Lisa Fischer as Woman at Garage Sale

            Linda Reisman as Young Clerk

            Kim Wilson as One of the Fabulous Thunderbirds

            Alan Mark Poul as Cashier

            Trent Reznor as Musician
See full cast

Light of Day (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Cast

Trailers & Clips