Bright Lights, Big City (1988)

Director:

James Bridges

Writers (WGA):

Jay McInerney (novel)
Jay McInerney (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 April 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Estranged Wife | Dead Mother | Writer | New York City | Magazine

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Michael J. Fox	...	Jamie Conway
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Tad Allagash
Phoebe Cates	...	Amanda
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Megan
Frances Sternhagen	...	Clara
Tracy Pollan	...	Vicky
John Houseman	...	Mr. Vogel
Charlie Schlatter	...	Michael
David Warrilow	...	Rittenhouse
Dianne Wiest	...	Mother
Alec Mapa	...	Yasu Wade
William Hickey	...	Ferret Man
Gina Belafonte	...	Kathy
Sam Robards	...	Rich Vanier
Bernard Zette	...	Stevie (as Zette)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DuArt)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2003) | UK:18 (video rating) (1989) | UK:18 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | Australia:R | France:-16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Norway:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

CST Telecommunications

Trivia:

This film is based on the novel by Jay McInerney of the same name. The book was also an inspiration for a rock musical of the same name, which premiered in 1999 and later went on to be a studio album.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Jamie's story of his relationship with Amanda to Megan his wineglass goes from half-full to empty in less than two seconds, while he's speaking.

Quotes:

Ferret Man: Wanna buy a ferret?
Jamie Conway: No, thanks.
Ferret Man: His name is Fred...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Freddy's Nightmares: The Light at the End of the Tunnel (#1.20)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Ice Cream Days

Hedonist Inc.

This movie shows the consequences of leading a self serving, indulgent lifestyle where being seen at the right place and moving on in the pursuit of glamor and 'good times' becomes life's aim, but sadly no one ever really "arrives". In fact, the protagonist only finds the more he indulges, the lonelier and hopelessly lost he becomes. Keifer Sutherland nails the character - Tad Allagash, the protagonist's rich cousin - a coke snorting hedonist who's game is to party hard and then party harder, with the constant fear of missing a good time snapping at his heels. I loved this movie to bits. Its fast and moves easily to the rhythmic beat of New York City. However there is a universal truth to this story, in that there is a Tad Allagash every city and this will never change!