Bright Lights, Big City
Seen it?1988 | 107 min | Drama, Romance
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (57% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.7 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Trainspotting or Eyes Wide Shut, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 47 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
A disillusioned young writer living in New York City turns to drugs and drinking to block out the memories of his dead mother and estranged wife.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
5.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$25 million worldwide on a $25 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 93K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by James Bridges
- Michael J. FoxJamie
- Kiefer SutherlandTad
- Phoebe CatesAmanda
- Swoosie KurtzMegan
- Frances SternhagenClara
- Tracy PollanVicky
- John HousemanMr. Vogel
- Charlie SchlatterMichael
- David WarrilowRittenhouse
- Dianne WiestMother