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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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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.

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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!

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Connections

References The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Rude Mood"
Written by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Published by Ray Vaughan Music, Inc. - ASCAP
Performed by Michael J. Fox, Michael McKean, and Paul J. Harkins (as Paul Harkins)

User Reviews

Great underrated Rock n' Roll flick.

Light of Day is one of my favourite Rock n' Roll films. Not the most popular choice, I'll grant you. A lot of people might question that, but let me explain my point of view. Most rock films deal with the rock star lifestyle. You know all the clichés: sex, drugs, booze, limos, groupies, hotel room demolition and general decadence (not that there's anything wrong with that; Spinal Tap is another favourite of mine!). In other words they deal with what is essentially UNREALITY for the vast majority of rockers out there. Instead they deal with a fantasy or an ideal, with what all us rockers would like to think is waiting for us just around the corner. Light of Day, on the other hand, deals with real life, and what Rock n' Roll means to several ordinary people. Several ordinary people dealing with ordinary, everyday problems; work, relationships, family, estrangement, disillusionment. Music is their refuge. As Patti Rasnick (played by Joan Jett) says "Music is all that matters. One hour on stage makes up for the other 23", and that is essentially the theme of the movie; No matter what life throws at us, we'll get through it as long as we have music. A theme that is reinforced by the final musical performance of the movie (I wont give too much away, don't worry).

There is absolutely no glamour to be found in this movie whatsoever; and that's one of the things I love about it! Its pure, unglamorous REALITY. Travelling in a van, playing dives, boosting food to survive another day on the road and doing it all for the love of Rock n' Roll, and knowing that the alternative is just too f**king odious to seriously contemplate... Okay sorry, I'm getting a bit heavy handed with my review here, but anyway, in conclusion: forget Family Ties (I haven't even seen an episode of that show in about 15 years, who gives a damn?), Michael J. Fox does an awesome and realistic job in Light of Day (all the members of The Barbusters played live in the performance scenes), the plot has a subtlety and realism missing in practically every other rock film I've seen, and the songs are great! Yes, I recommend this film to anybody who's ever played in a travelling band, or just loves Rock n' Roll.

BTW, in case my American friends are wondering: "favourite", "glamour" and "travelling" are not spelling mistakes. ;-)