Where the Day Takes You (1992)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(2,875 ratings)

Marc Rocco's gritty drama Where the Day Takes You stars Dermot Mulroney as King, a street-smart hustler who acts as a father figure to a motley collection of young runaways. Among the people in his sphere are the young self-destructive drug addict Greg (Sean Astin), self-hating gay prostitute Little… More Marc Rocco's gritty drama Where the Day Takes You stars Dermot Mulroney as King, a street-smart hustler who acts as a father figure to a motley collection of young runaways. Among the people in his sphere are the young self-destructive drug addict Greg (Sean Astin), self-hating gay prostitute Little J (Balthazar Getty), and newcomer Heather (Lara Flynn Boyle). The film is structured as a series of flashbacks triggered by King's conversations with a prison psychologist (Laura San Giacomo). Included in the impressive cast are such soon-to-be-famous names as Will Smith and Ricki Lake, and the already established Kyle MacLachlan, Christian Slater, and Alyssa Milano. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Marc Rocco
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 11, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Nov 25, 2003
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though hovering between art and sociology, realism and stylization, Rocco's film serves as showcase for young cohort of actors including Will Smith, Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, Lara Flynn Boyle and Balthazar Getty.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Nothing new here to be glommed, but this slickly done film is nevertheless hard-hitting.

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

Eric S

Quite a brilliant film that's been swept under the carpet for the most part. Dermot Mulroney turns in a fine portrayal as the coin-rolling "leader" of a group of teenage runaways doing what they can to survive living on the streets of Los Angeles. Drugs and prostitution… More
Quite a brilliant film that's been swept under the carpet for the most part. Dermot Mulroney turns in a fine portrayal as the coin-rolling "leader" of a group of teenage runaways doing what they can to survive living on the streets of Los Angeles. Drugs and prostitution pose as threats to most of the kids being that they seem to be the alternatives to them going back to live with their families, as well as the bureaucratic ideals that oppose this free- wheeling lifestyle which essentially fuels their need of being apart from what is considered to be the right way of going about their young existences. This film is worth seeing for the brilliant character work by Dermot Mulroney alone, but has a cast that delivers quality performances such as Sean Astin's effective portrayal of a drug addicted teen.
Mark H

Urban drama about teen runaways on the streets of Hollywood features a dream cast of young actors (Will Smith makes his feature film debut here). Gritty juvenile delinquency film wants to be hard-hitting, but whenever something meaningful happens, the audience is subjected to tedious… More
Urban drama about teen runaways on the streets of Hollywood features a dream cast of young actors (Will Smith makes his feature film debut here). Gritty juvenile delinquency film wants to be hard-hitting, but whenever something meaningful happens, the audience is subjected to tedious rock music by Melissa Etheridge and it becomes a music video. (She's credited with 5 songs on the soundtrack, but I defy anyone to tell them apart). Some nice performances, but ultimately a minor film.
Lee K

Not bad, not gripping but not bad. I think i originally watched this because i wanted at the time to see Will smith in a serious role.
Leo L

An interesting movie!

Cast

            Sean Astin as Greg

            Lara Flynn Boyle as Heather

            Peter Dobson as Tommy Ray

            Balthazar Getty as Little J.

            Ricki Lake as Brenda

            James LeGros as Crasher

            Kyle MacLachlan as Ted

            Dermot Mulroney as King

            Stephen Tobolowsky as Charles

            Will Smith as Manny

            Adam Baldwin as Officer Black

            Laura San Giacomo as Interviewer

            David Arquette as Rob

            Joey Dedio as Teen

            Debbie James as Mrs. Burtis

            Ken Kerman as Older Cop

            Robert Knepper as Rock Singer

            Michael Maguire as 2nd Cop

            Nancy McKeon as Vikki

            Alyssa Milano as Kimmy

            Dennis Phun as Korean Man

            Leo Rossi as Mr. Burtis

            Christian Slater as Rocky

            Cynthia Szigeti as Counselor

            Rachel Ticotin as Officer Landers
See full cast