Light of Day (1987)

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Paul Schrader (written by)

Release Date:

6 February 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

"I got a little lost along the way, but I'm just around the corner to the light of day." -Bruce Springsteen

Plot:

The siblings Patty and Joe live in an industrial suburb. While Patty's ambition is their rock band "The Barbusters" only...

Plot Keywords:

Rock Band | Uncle | Hospital | Working Class | Single Mother

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Michael J. Fox	...	Joe Rasnick
Gena Rowlands	...	Jeanette Rasnick
Joan Jett	...	Patti Rasnick
Michael McKean	...	Bu Montgomery
Thomas G. Waites	...	Smittie
Cherry Jones	...	Cindy Montgomery
Michael Dolan	...	Gene Bodine
Paul J. Harkins	...	Billy Tatton
Billy L. Sullivan	...	Benji Rasnick (as Billy Sullivan)
Jason Miller	...	Benjamin Rasnick
Tom Irwin	...	Rev. Ansley
Jerry Gideon	...	Sean
Cherise Vonae Haugen	...	Crystad
Michael Rooker	...	Oogie
Yvette Heyden	...	Laurie

Also Known As:

Born in the U.S.A. (USA) (original script title)
Just Around the Corner to the Light of Day (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Astrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Berwyn, Illinois, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

This film was actually offered to Bruce Springsteen as a acting project (for what became the Michael J. Fox role) when he was thinking about going into film acting. He ultimately passed on this project (and dismissed the idea of going into films altogether).

Quotes:

Patti Rasnick: [during a fight with her brother Joe] You really oughta start your own band. Call it The Attitudes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: Live! (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Light Of Day

Great script, so-so performances

I thought this film had an original story and a great script. Michael J. Fox puts forth a wonderful attempt to make us believe he is Joe Rasnick, aspiring rock performer, and, as always his acting is on the level and heartfelt. Joan Jett, while trying really hard to play the wild and sometimes estranged sister Patti, just can't seem to find the emotion needed to make her role believable (her musical performance doesn't disappoint, though). Gena Rowlands, as usual, is superb in her attempt to make us buy her as Joan Jett's righteous and disapproving mother. All in all entertaining, yet not quite believable.