X
  • 1987
  • PG-13
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 47 m
  • 1987
  • PG-13
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 47 m

Summary The siblings Patty and Joe Rasnick live in an industrial suburb in Cleveland, Ohio. While Patty is focused on their rock band, The Barbusters, Joe also cares for the family and the upbringing of Patty'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 ...

Directed By: Paul Schrader

Written By: Paul Schrader

  • 1987
  • PG-13
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 47 m
  • 1987
  • PG-13
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 47 m

Light of Day

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
55
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary The siblings Patty and Joe Rasnick live in an industrial suburb in Cleveland, Ohio. While Patty is focused on their rock band, The Barbusters, Joe also cares for the family and the upbringing of Patty'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 ...

Directed By: Paul Schrader

Written By: Paul Schrader

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
55
17% Positive
2 Reviews
83% Mixed
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
55
17% Positive
2 Reviews
83% Mixed
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
88
This is a family drama, all right - but not one of those neat docudramas in which every character comes attached to a fashionable problem, and all the problems are solved in the same happy ending. The family in Light of Day is more like your average, everyday, unhappy family in which the biggest problem is that some of the members quite simply hate each other.
By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW
60
Light of Day is a sympathetic, intelligent movie, with one great performance, but it suffers from the malaise rock 'n' roll is supposed to cure: inhibitions, a lack of spontaneity. [06 Feb 1987, p.4]
By Michael Wilmington FULL REVIEW
50
Light of Day flounders because of Schrader's simplistic symbolism: the rebellious children, the unhearing mother, the lifeless father. The story limps from one predictable scene to the next. [17 Mar 1987]
By Bob Thomas FULL REVIEW
50
A combination rock-and-roll tearjerker and domestic drama. It is gloomy, boring and sentimental. [06 Feb 1987, p.C5]
By Hal Boedeker FULL REVIEW
50
For the most part, American movies concern the middle class, console the poor and celebrate the rich, and Schrader tried to pay blue-collar culture its due. He may have worked an honest day, but he didn't come up with an honest drama.
By Rita Kempley FULL REVIEW
50
Despite the over-the-edge quality of her character, Rowlands makes even the most ludicrous lines seem feasible. Fox is basically miscast as the good-natured brother who idolizes his sister and tries to cover for her. Jett looks the part and even manages to hit the mark from time to time, but for every hit there’s a miss.
FULL REVIEW
40
Despite a few good moments here and there and a stunning performance by Gena Rowlands, Light of Day is an anemic drama with little to say.
FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company TAFT Entertainment Pictures, Keith Barish Productions, Home Box Office (HBO)
Release Date Feb 6, 1987
Duration 1 h 47 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline "La rage au ventre, la musique dans la peau." (Rage in the belly, music in the skin) - France DVD case
View All Details

Awards

Young Artist Awards
• 1 Nomination

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