Light of Day (1987)

A pair of siblings must choose whether to pursue their dream of touring with their rock band or support their family and stay in Cleveland, Ohio.

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 Patti and Joe Rasnick live in an industrial suburb in Cleveland, Ohio, and play in a local rock band, The Barbusters. While Patti is focused on their rock band, Joe is also devoted to the family and the upbringing of Patti'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. In the steamy, smoke-filled clubs in and around Cleveland, they find their happiness living the dream with The Barbusters. Patti and Joe live their lives for one hour in the spotlight on stage, and when the lights go down, their world lights up. With hard times in the family and hard knocks on the job, it's hard rock music at night that keeps them alive.

---

Plot Keywords:

rock band | family relationships | brother sister relationship | rock 'n' roll | musician | 

---

Taglines:

"La rage au ventre, la musique dans la peau." (Rage in the belly, music in the skin) - France DVD case

---

Genres:

Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael McKean plays a guitar player in this film three years after doing so in This Is Spinal Tap (1984).

---

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 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: Live! (2001)

---

Soundtracks

I Spy (for the F.B.I.)
Written by Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie and Herman Kelly
Published by Briarbert Publishing - BMI/Trio Music Co., Inc. - BMI
All rights for U.S.A. and Canada administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. - BMI
Performed by The Untouchables
Courtesy of MCA Records and Stiff Records

User Reviews

Slow Down to appreciate the Light of Day

This movie is not a "rock" movie. It is a "people" movie. The performances turned in by the cast were complete, realistic and believable. I say this from the standpoint of someone (a female) who hammered it out in a working rock band for 20 years... The characters had unfortunate crappy jobs, they DID have problems with their parents and each other, as life on the road is HARD. In fact, out of all the "rock-n-roll" movies I have ever seen, this played out to touch home better than anything else. The person who wrote the scathing review ~ I'd bet my Gibson he was never in a bar band, scraping dimes together, stealing food. And I'd bet my SM57 that he never had to play the cheesy Holiday Inn Lounge. Anyone who thinks being in a working band is fun, easy, nothing but a good time, check out Light Of Day. It will open your eyes. The side-plot of an illness that strikes the family is more than touching and also true to life, as I had the same thing happened to me. The dialogue in the movie is so realistic that I can't watch it without cringing. This movie is the real deal, not some drummed up rock-n-roll fantasy compiled for "wanna be's" or wishful thinkers.

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:

Crestwood, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,536,309, 8 February 1987

Gross USA:

$10,489,617

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,489,617

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1