Film Review: Bright Lights, Big City (1988)

(source: tmdb.org)

1980s were very good decade for Michael J. Fox, Canadian actor who became huge star of both big and small screen. Star-making roles were, however, those of teenagers in comedies. Fox, like many actors in similar situation, tried to prove himself as someone with bigger range and wanted more adult and serious roles. An opportunity for that was the protagonist of Bright Light, Big City, 1988 drama directed by James Bridges.

The plot is based on the eponymous novel by Jay McInenerny, book hailed as one of the most authentic depiction of yuppie culture in 1980s New York. One of such yuppies is the protagonist, 24-year old Jamie Conway (played by Fox), fact-checker in prestigious New York magazine. Jamie, who originally wanted to become famous writer, is frustrated with his inability to create great novel and tries to drown his frustrations by partying in night clubs every night, consuming huge amounts of liquor and cocaine. This lifestyle, shared by his rich and decadent friend Tad Allagash (played by Kiefer Sutherland), begins to affect his health and jeopardise his career. Jamie’s downward spiral is further accelerated with failed marriage to Amanda (played by Phoebe Cates), beautiful girl who left him for the sake of modelling career. Jamie also suffers due to his inability to properly mourn the death of his beloved mother (played by Dianne Wiest) who died a year ago.

McInenerny’s novel was often compared with Brett Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero and both films shared the same fate of being adapted in disappointing feature films. In both cases part of the problem was producers’ desire to walk around the issue of drug use, which became highly controversial at the zenith of Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign. This resulted in very long and troubled production, constant script rewrites and firing of original director Joyce Chopra. James Bridges, who replaced her late in the production, decided to keep most of novel’s drug-related content in the script, but he also replaced almost entire cast. The result is rushed film that looks quite unspectacular despite large budget, and the excesses associated with 1980s yuppie culture are mostly reduced to single protagonist drinking and snorting drugs and later feeling sorry for himself. Bridges’ slow-paced direction doesn’t help either, while some scenes looks artificially inserted in the film (like Jamie’s imaginary conversation with coma baby, which is nothing more than waste of good special effects). Fox tries his best under the circumstances, but even with his boyish charm can’t evoke much sympathy for dislikable, unprofessional, whiny and self-destructive character. His performance, although solid, is overshadowed by young Kiefer Sutherland in the small role of a friend with much more comfortable view of his own depravity. The rest of cast, which includes some veterans like Jason Robards, can’t put much life in this dreary and unpleasant picture of life ruined by excess and self-pity. Same goes for Phoebe Cates, who despite good looks, simply isn’t convincing as international supermodel. Bright Light, Big City turned out into failure both at box office and among critics, and turned out to be the last film in career of James Bridges. Fox’s career, on the other hand, wasn’t affected and he married Tracy Pollan, an actress appearing in this film as Tad’s cousin and Jamie’s possible romantic interest.

RATING: 4/10 (+)