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Bright Lights, Big City (1988)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 18
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 7

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 2.8/5
User Ratings: 6,650

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Movie Info

Michael J. Fox once more makes a courageous effort to shed his nice-guy image in Bright Lights, Big City. Fox plays an impressionable Kansan who comes to the Big Apple to take a job at a major magazine. It isn't long before he falls into the twin traps of drug and alcohol abuse. His only hope for redemption is in the hands of Vicky (Tracy Pollan), the cousin of his scuzzy drinking buddy Tad (Kiefer Sutherland). Jay McInerney's bestselling novel does not translate easily to the big screen, but

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

Directed By: James Bridges

In Theaters: Apr 1, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Aug 5, 2003

MGM Home Entertainment

Bright Lights, Big City Trailer & Photos

Cast

Michael J. Fox
Jamie Conway
Kiefer Sutherland
Tad Allagash
Phoebe Cates
Amanda
Swoosie Kurtz
Megan
Frances Sternhagen
Clara Tillinghast
Tracy Pollan
Vicky
John Houseman
Mr. Vogel
Charlie Schlatter
Michael
Jason Robards
Alex Hardy
David Warrilow
Rittenhouse
Dianne Wiest
Mother
Alec Mapa
Yasu Wade
William Hickey
Ferret Man
James Babchak
Bartender at Disco
Mike Bacarella
Bakery Man
Michael Badalucco
Policeman
Gina Belafonte
Kathy
Josie Bell
Runway Model
Peter Boyden
Maitre d'
Marvin Braveman
Alva Chinn
Runway Model
Michael Fischetti
Mannequin Craftsman
Leigh French
Nicholas Guest
Annabelle Gurwitch
Barbara
Russell Horton
Walter Tyler
Luisa Leschin
Jessica Lundy
Theresa
Kelly Lynch
Elaine
David Hyde Pierce
Bartender at Fashion Sh...
Maria Pitillo
Pony-Tail Girl
Sam Robards
Rich Vanier
Barbara Rucker
Elegant Lady
Reni Santoni
Wendy Schaal
Jonathan Stark
Susan Traylor
Leather Lady
Zette Sullivan
Stevie
Peter Maloney
Waiter
Anna Mathias
Peg Murray
Receptionist
Marika Blossfeldt
Bald Girl
Sheila Johnson
Runway Model
Fred Newman
Tracy Newman
Pat Santino
Security Guard
Marisol Massey
Runway Model
Arnold Turner

Critic Reviews for Bright Lights, Big City

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (9) | DVD (9)

Mr. Bridges may not have breathed fire into this material, but he has preserved most of its better qualities. He has treated it with intelligence, respect and no undue reverence, assembling a coherent film that resists any hint of exploitation.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

The movie is like a Porsche outfitted with a lawn mower engine; there's not even enough juice to get the machine out of the driveway.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Fox is very good in the central role (he has a long drunken monologue that is the best thing he has ever done in a movie).

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Along the gruesome road to self-discovery, Bright Lights offers some entertaining, episodic, danceable highlights.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment (1)

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Flyblown, devoid of pace and heat; it's such a mortician's slab that it's hard to even tell if the Fox performance is wasted on it, though I suspect it is.

November 9, 2008 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

| Comment

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

truth be told, nothing much happens other than a series of increasingly mortifying benders

June 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

Pure '80s rock 'n' roll fun from start to finish.

November 2, 2006 Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

muddled but engaging

September 19, 2004 Comment

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

One of those DVDs that provides about the equivalent of watching the movie on late-night television.

August 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Ryan Cracknell

Apollo Guide

Even when the story lingers at times, the central character is played so strongly that you can still stay with the film.

August 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Ryan Cracknell

Apollo Guide

This slice of New York yuppie angst is watchable, but forgettable.

March 19, 2003 Comment

Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

Moves at a snails pace, but it's worthwhile sticking in for performances like this

September 18, 2002 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

Not unlike its cousin, "Less Than Zero," this one's slick, well-acted, surface-deep, and enjoyably disturbing.

July 27, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Bright Lights, Big City

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A fantastic cast, and a heavy drama, this is a good movie, it's very 80s, I really enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it..

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

A movie that will intrigue you and will pull you in and show you what its like to be a cocaine addict.

April 2, 2008

Cassie Hill

Super Reviewer

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