Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
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- R
- 1h 47min
- Drama
- 01 Apr 1988 (USA)
- Movie
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.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Michael J. Fox | ... |
Jamie
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| Kiefer Sutherland | ... |
Tad
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| Phoebe Cates | ... |
Amanda
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| Swoosie Kurtz | ... |
Megan
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| Frances Sternhagen | ... |
Clara
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| Tracy Pollan | ... |
Vicky
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| John Houseman | ... |
Mr. Vogel
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| Charlie Schlatter | ... |
Michael
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David Warrilow | ... |
Rittenhouse
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| Dianne Wiest | ... |
Mother
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| Alec Mapa | ... |
Yasu Wade
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| William Hickey | ... |
Ferret Man
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| Gina Belafonte | ... |
Kathy
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| Sam Robards | ... |
Rich Vanier
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Bernard Zette | ... |
Stevie
(as Zette)
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Marika Blossfeldt | ... |
Bald Girl
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| Jessica Lundy | ... |
Theresa
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| Kelly Lynch | ... |
Elaine
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Peter Boyden | ... |
Maitre d'
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| Annabelle Gurwitch | ... |
Barbara
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| Russell Horton | ... |
Walter Tyler
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| Maria Pitillo | ... |
Pony Tail Girl
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| Susan Traylor | ... |
Leather Lady
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Michael Fischetti | ... |
Mannequin Craftsman
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| Harvey Waldman | ... |
Deli Man
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| David Hyde Pierce | ... |
Bartender at Fashion Show
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Jim Babchak | ... |
Bartender at Disco
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Peg Murray | ... |
Receptionist
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Barbara Rucker | ... |
Elegant Lady
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Pat Santino | ... |
Security Guard
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| Mike Bacarella | ... |
Bakery Man
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Josie Bell | ... |
Runway Model
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Anne Bezamat | ... |
Runway Model
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Alva Chinn | ... |
Runway Model
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Dianne De Witt | ... |
Runway Model
(as Dianne de Witt)
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Nathalie Gabrielli | ... |
Runway Model
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Jennifer Houser | ... |
Runway Model
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Lynn Howland | ... |
Runway Model
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| Sheila Johnson | ... |
Runway Model
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Melanie Landestoy | ... |
Runway Model
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Marisol Massey | ... |
Runway Model
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Andrea Sande | ... |
Runway Model
(as Andréa Sande)
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Malio | ... |
Runway Model
(as Maud)
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Maria von Hartz | ... |
Runway Model
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Joko Zohrer | ... |
Runway Model
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Marvin Braverman | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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Thomas Brunelle | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
(as Tom Brunelle)
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| Leigh French | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Nicholas Guest | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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Fred Newman | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Luisa Leschin | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Andrew Masset | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Anna Mathias | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Tracy Newman | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Reni Santoni | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Wendy Schaal | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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Jonathan Stark | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Arnold F. Turner | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
(as Arnold Turner)
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| Claudette Wells | ... |
Additional Voices (voice)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Edward Burke | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Elana Cooper | ... |
Dancing Club Girl (uncredited)
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| Wayne Keeley | ... |
Bartender (uncredited)
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| Dave Knapp | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Gary McNerney | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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| Antony Platt | ... |
Press Photographer-Fashion Show (uncredited)
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| Jason Robards | ... |
Drunken Writer - Mr. Hardy (uncredited)
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| Rick Shaw | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Ruth Leon Weiman | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Anthony Welch | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Dondré T. Whitfield | ... |
Brian Jones (uncredited)
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Directed by
| James Bridges | ||
Written by
| Jay McInerney | ... | (novel) |
| Jay McInerney | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Jack Larson | ... | associate producer |
| Gerald R. Molen | ... | executive producer |
| Sydney Pollack | ... | producer |
| Mark Rosenberg | ... | producer |
Music by
| Donald Fagen | ||
Cinematography by
| Gordon Willis | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| George Berndt | ||
| John Bloom | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter |
| Maryann Brandon | ... | assistant film editor |
| Peter B. Ellis | ... | apprentice film editor (as Peter Ellis) |
| Kevin Barlia | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
| Ed Stabile | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Mary Colquhoun | ||
Production Design by
| Santo Loquasto | ||
Art Direction by
| Tom Warren | ... | (as Thomas C. Warren) |
Set Decoration by
| George DeTitta Jr. | ... | (as George Detitta) |
Costume Design by
| Bernie Pollack | ||
Makeup Department
| Romaine Greene | ... | hair stylist (as Romaine Green) |
| Bernadette Mazur | ... | makeup artist |
| Craig Lyman | ... | assistant makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Robin Forman Howard | ... | post-production supervisor (as Robin Forman) |
| Ted Kurdyla | ... | assistant unit production manager |
| Gerald R. Molen | ... | unit production manager |
| Michael Badalucco | ... | assistant production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Gina Maria Leonetti | ... | dga trainee (as Gina Leonetti) |
| David McGiffert | ... | first assistant director |
| Barbara M. Ravis | ... | second second assistant director (as Barbara Ravis) |
| Stephen Wertimer | ... | second assistant director |
| Nelson Cabrera | ... | second second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Michael Badalucco | ... | assistant property master (as Mike Badalucco) |
| Glenn Lloyd | ... | art department coordinator |
| James Mazzola | ... | property master (as Jim Mazzola) |
| Arne Olsen | ... | construction grip |
| Ron Petagna | ... | construction coordinator (as Ronald Petagna) |
| Jefferson Sage | ... | assistant art director |
| Cosmo Sorice | ... | stand-by scenic artist |
| James Sorice | ... | master scenic artist (as Jim Sorice) |
| Dave Weinman | ... | set dresser |
| Gilbert S. Williams | ... | assistant to production designer (as Gil Williams) |
| Gerald DeTitta | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Frank Didio | ... | head carpenter (uncredited) |
| Thomas M. Southern | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Gary Alexander | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Michael Bedard | ... | sound recordist (as Mike Bedard) |
| Pamela Bentkowski | ... | sound effects editor |
| George Berndt | ... | adr editor |
| Brian M. Chic | ... | sound apprentice (as Brian Chic) |
| Teri E. Dorman | ... | dialogue editor (as Teri Dorman) |
| Ann Ducommun | ... | sound assistant |
| Susan Dudeck | ... | dialogue editor |
| John Duvall | ... | foley editor |
| Douglas Greenfield | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby |
| Spike Allison Hooper | ... | sound assistant |
| Chris Jenkins | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Laura Krumholz | ... | sound apprentice |
| Les Lazarowitz | ... | production sound mixer |
| Skip Lievsay | ... | sound supervisor |
| Martin Maryska | ... | sound effects editor |
| James Matheny | ... | sound effects editor (as Jim Matheny) |
| Linda Murphy | ... | boom operator |
| Steve Pederson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Joan Rowe | ... | foley artist |
| Ralph Stuart | ... | sound assistant |
| Peter Michael Sullivan | ... | sound assistant (as Peter Sullivan) |
| Jerry Trent | ... | foley artist |
Special Effects by
| Kelly Lepkowsky | ... | animatronics (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Charles Croughwell | ... | stunt double: Michael J. Fox (uncredited) |
| Rick Shaw | ... | stunt driver (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Robert Connors | ... | best boy (as Bob Conners) |
| Tom Gilligan | ... | grip |
| Louis Goldman | ... | still photographer |
| Douglas C. Hart | ... | first assistant camera (as Doug Hart) |
| Chaim Kantor | ... | second assistant camera |
| Bobby Mancuso | ... | camera trainee |
| Richard Quinlan | ... | chief lighting technician (as Dick Quinlan) |
| Ed Quinn | ... | key grip |
| Donald Sweeney | ... | camera operator (as Don Sweeney) |
| Raymond Fortune | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Billy Kerwick | ... | best boy grip (uncredited) |
| Thomas Landi | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Michael Colberg | ... | casting assistant |
| Judie Fixler | ... | additional casting: Todd Thaler Casting (as Julie Fixler) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| William A. Campbell | ... | costumer: men |
| Hope Hanafin | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Melissa Stanton | ... | costumer: women (as Melissa Adzima-Stanton) |
| Juliet Polcsa | ... | costume assistant (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Dennis T. Benatar | ... | location staff (as Dennis Benatar) |
| Nicholas Bernstein | ... | location staff |
| James Davis | ... | location staff |
| Charlie McNamara | ... | production assistant: locations department (uncredited) |
| Ari Taub | ... | assistant location coordinator (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Richard Alderson | ... | scoring engineer |
| Joseph S. DeBeasi | ... | playback music editor (as Joe De Beasi) |
| Donald Fagen | ... | orchestrator |
| Benny Medina | ... | music consultant: Warner Bros. Records |
| Rob Mounsey | ... | composer: additional music / orchestrator |
| Michael Ostin | ... | music consultant: Warner Bros. Records |
| Joel Sill | ... | executive music producer |
| Curt Sobel | ... | music editor |
| Wayne Yurgelun | ... | scoring engineer |
| George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| Chris Floberg | ... | assistant music mixer: orchestra (uncredited) |
| Birch Johnson | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Barbara Stoia | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Thomas Buckman | ... | transportation co-captain (as Tom Buckman) |
| James Giblin | ... | transportation captain (as Jim Giblin) |
Additional Crew
| Julie Bergman Sender | ... | assistant to producers (as Julie Bergman) |
| Tom Cassidy | ... | security: Mr. Fox |
| Cynthia Cox | ... | assistant production coordinator (as Cynthia 'C.C.' Cox) |
| Michael DeCasper | ... | production assistant (as Michael De Casper) |
| Wayne Fitzgerald | ... | title designer |
| Edward A. Ioffreda | ... | production assistant (as Edward Ioffreda) |
| Harriette Kanew | ... | production coordinator (as Harriette G. Kanew) |
| Linda Labov | ... | secretary to producer |
| Erica Lawson | ... | assistant: Mr. Fox |
| John A. Machione | ... | assistant auditor |
| Penny McCarthy | ... | assistant: Mr. Bridges |
| Douglas S. Ornstein | ... | production assistant |
| Donna Ostroff | ... | secretary to producer |
| Brian Pulido | ... | production assistant |
| Ken Ryan | ... | auditor |
| Donna Santora | ... | accounting assistant |
| Stephanie Saunders | ... | assistant: Mr. Bridges |
| Ted Casablanca | ... | technical advisor (uncredited) |
| Marge Sperling | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Jack Alexander | ... | the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of: Oscar de la Renta Ltd. |
| Rosangela Brea | ... | the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of: Oscar de la Renta Ltd. |
| Christina Campanaro | ... | the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of: Oscar de la Renta Ltd. |
Production Companies
- United Artists
- CST Telecommunications (in association with)
- Mirage Enterprises
- Star Partners (in association with)
Distributors
- United Artists (1988) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (Japan) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1988) (United States) (video) (Betamax)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (Norway) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (1988) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (Netherlands) (DVD) (through 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (Netherlands) (DVD) (through)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008) (Canada) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2008) (United States) (DVD) (20th Anniversary Edition)
- MGM Networks (2008) (India) (tv) (Chennai)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (DVD)
- MVD Visual (2018) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Koch Media (2019) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Koch Media (2019) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (United States) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Chris Walas (special effects: coma baby)
Other Companies
- Todd Thaler Casting (additional casting)
- Peggy Siegal Company (publicity)
- New Visions Music Group Inc. (music supervision)
- Warner Bros. Records (original soundtrack album)
- Oscar de la Renta (clothing: fashion show)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- Panavision (camera equipment: Panaflex® camera and lenses)
- DuArt Film and Video (color)
- Technicolor (prints)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound mix: Dolby Stereo®)
- New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development (the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of)
- The New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of)
- Esquire Magazine (the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of)
- Oscar de la Renta (the producers gratefully acknowledge the support of: Jack Alexander, Christina Campanaro and Rosangela Brea)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Jamie Conway (Michael J. Fox) is an aspiring writer and yuppie living in New York City who seeks oblivion in cocaine and the glittery nightclub scene as his life falls apart (his wife leaves him, his mother dies, etc.). With his hard-partying friend Tad Allagash (Kiefer Sutherland) tagging along with him during their nights out, Jamie finds it increasingly difficult to show up every day at his unfulfilling job as a fact checker for a literary Manhattan magazine. Written by Larry B. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | All that glitters is not gold. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $25,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | In a 2011 interview with "The A. V. Club," David Hyde Pierce said that it cost him more to join the Screen Actors Guild (so that he could appear in this movie) than he was paid for his role, so he had to borrow the dues money from his agent. His character's name was "Bartender at Fashion Show", and his one line was, "Sorry, the bar is closed." See more » |
| Goofs | 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Bright Lights, Big City/The Seventh Sign/Beetlejuice/Babette's Feast (1988). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Love Attack See more » |
| Quotes |
Ferret Man:
Wanna buy a ferret? Jamie Conway: No. No, thanks. Ferret Man: Loose joints. Genuine Hawaiian sens. His name is Fred... See more » |