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Michael J. Fox, Gena Rowlands, Joan Jett, Michael McKean, Thomas G. Waites ... see more see more... , Cherry Jones , Michael Dolan , Paul Harkins , Billy L. Sullivan , Jason Miller , Del Close , Ron Dean , Jerry Gideon , Yvette Heyden , Tom Irwin , Maureen Mueller , David Pasquesi , Barbara E. Robertson , Michael Rooker , Ann Whitney , Lisa Fischer , Linda Reisman , Kim Wilson , Alan Mark Poul , Trent Reznor

A brother and sister grapple with family and lifestyle issues in this rock-n-roll drama. Real-life rocker Joan Jett stars as Patti Resnick, an unwed mother who sings and plays guitar in a Cleveland ba... read more read more...r band with her brother Joe (Michael J. Fox). Estranged from her parents and struggling to make ends meet, Patti decides to dive headlong into a carefree rock-n-roll lifestyle. Good-guy Joe pulls away from music to provide some stability for her tiny son. It takes a family crisis to bring Patti back home and force her to face the prickly past with her devoutly Christian mother (Gena Rowlands). Despite a somewhat thin story, the film has solid performances all around, most especially from the refreshingly compelling Jett. Bruce Springsteen penned the title song. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

696 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

12 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Paul Schrader

Release Date: February 1, 1987

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Flixster Reviews (66)

  • ajv2688
    January 29, 2011
    ajv2688
    A fantastic drama with a great cast and a realistic story. One of my favourite drama films of the decade. Plus it's interesting to see Joan Jett in a movie. I highly recommend it.
  • jam233
    November 30, 2009
    jam233
    Flawed but Joan Jett's performance makes it worth watching. perfect casting, and her acting ability is surprisingly great. Gena Rowlands is fine in the role of the mother. Michael J Fox is badly miscast. Not a cheery film, and it has some very slow patches. For some reason, the O... read morehio setting adds to the film, it makes it believable.
  • bradwest
    February 18, 2009
    bradwest
    Not really Scrader's forte. Wants to be the Bruce Springsteen story, but done too late and with wrong cast.
  • JaredsBaby
    August 17, 2008
    JaredsBaby
    Love Michael J. Fox, he is so versitle.....can play a long range of character....from rock star....to druged out junkie.....a great actor.

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Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey
October 5, 2006
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

A pure time capsule of '80s rock 'n' roll energy. Joan Jett is perfectly cast.

Alex Sandell
December 16, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Your typical 80s nightmare. Fox does NOT work as a rock star.

Gregory Weinkauf
October 22, 2003
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

Not bad for a movie tainted by "workin' man" Springsteen.

Clint Morris
September 17, 2002
Clint Morris, Moviehole

The "Back to the Future" sequel couldn't come any sooner

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

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Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 12, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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Light of Day Trivia

  • Which famous actress starred in the movies ' By the light of the silvery moon' and ' on moonlight bay'?  Answer »
  • in lion king who starts by saying "lifes not fair is it you see i shall never be king and you shall never se the light of another day" ?  Answer »
  • Who was the real life rock star that played "Patti" in the movie "Light of Day"?  Answer »
  • In a rare light moment in "The Passion of the Christ", Jesus is credited with inventing what piece of modern day furniture?  Answer »
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