IMDb > Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
Bright Lights, Big City
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Bright Lights, Big City (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Bright Lights, Big City (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
5.3/10   3,083 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

James Bridges

Writers (WGA):

Jay McInerney (novel)
Jay McInerney (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for Bright Lights, Big City on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

1 April 1988 (USA) more

Genre:

Drama more

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. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

1 nomination more

NewsDesk:

Roberts Ended Writer's Marriage
 (From WENN. 12 July 2007)

User Comments:

Hedonist Inc. more (28 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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)
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DuArt)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

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


Fun Stuff

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. more

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. more

Quotes:

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

Soundtrack:

Ice Cream Days more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Hedonist Inc., 26 February 2005
Author: swallowedwhole from Australia

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!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (28 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
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tracy pollan ton_tongue_toffee
Possible Seinfeld connection? puffin88
What's up with the low rating?? barrs6
New York Location at the very end GMC100
The ending stanlee666
Jason Robards jamieleefan1
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