Light of Day (1987)

The siblings Patty and Joe live in an industrial suburb. While Patty's ambition is their rock band "The Barbusters" only, Joe also cares for the family and the upbringing of Patty's young ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Paul Schrader

Stars:

Michael J. Fox, Gena Rowlands, Joan Jett

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Tettore
Billy L. Sullivan	...	Benji Rasnick (as Billy Sullivan)
Jason Miller	...	Benjamin Rasnick
Tom Irwin	...	Reverend Ansley
Jerry Gideon	...	Sean
Cherise Vonae Haugen	...	Crystal
Michael Rooker	...	Oogie
Yvette Heyden	...	Laurie

Storyline

The siblings Patty and Joe live in an industrial suburb. While Patty's ambition is their rock band "The Barbusters" only, Joe also cares for the family and the upbringing of Patty's young son Benji. Their pious mother reproaches them for their way of life, especially when they quit their jobs and go on tour, taking Benji with them.

---

Plot Keywords:

rock band | uncle | hospital | working class | single mother | 

---

Taglines:

When your family is closing you in, music may be the only way out.

---

Genres:

Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 February 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Just Around the Corner to the Light of Day

Filming Locations:

Berwyn, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$10,489,617 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TAFT Entertainment Pictures, Keith Barish Productions, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Astrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original title of the script was "Born in the USA." 'Paul Schrader' asked Bruce Springsteen to write a title song for the movie. After Springsteen wrote it, he liked the song so much, he used for his multi-platinum album of the same name instead. As a replacement, Springsteen later wrote the song "Light of Day". That is why Springsteen thanks Schrader in the liner notes of the album.

---

Quotes

Smittie: [Joe pays Smittie for some tools Patti stole from his brother-in-law] I like you, you're all right. You've got real family loyalty. Too bad your sister ain't worth it!

---

Connections

Referenced in Real Wild Child: Video Anthology (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"Twist It Off"
Written by Jimmie Vaughan (as Jimmie L. Vaughan), Kim Wilson, Fran Christina and Preston Hubbard
Published by Fab Bird Music - BMI
Administered by Bug Music - BMI
Performed by The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Courtesy of CBS Associated Labels

User Reviews

A Reasonable Melodrama With a Great Soundtrack

Joe (Michael J. Fox) and Patti (Joan Jetti) play in the band `The Barbusters'. They use to play in bars in the suburbs. Patti is the singer of the band and a single mother, has a beautiful son and is very rejected by her mother Jeanette (Gena Rowlands). They do not accept and understand each other. The father of Patti's son is unknown by her family. Patti wants to follow the career of musician, but her brother uses the band indeed as an alternative for the lack of job. Joe is the link between Patti and Jeanette, trying to resolve and absorb their problems. A terminal cancer in Jeanette changes the relationship among the family and cruel revelations are presented in the end, with a final redemption of the characters. The melodramatic screenplay of this movie looks like a Mexican soap opera, but the soundtrack is great. There is a minor participation of Jimmie Vaughn, as the singer of another band (`The Fabulous Thunderbirds'). This movie is not a masterpiece, but entertains, especially if the viewer watches it without any expectation, just for killing time. My vote is five.