"Light of Day" (1987)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

Directed By: Paul Schrader

Written By: Paul Schrader, Monte Merrick

Runtime: 90 minutes

Studio: TAFT Entertainment Pictures

Summary:

A Cleveland brother (Michael J. Fox) and sister (Joan Jett) rise with a rock band while coping with personal problems.

Review:

I think this film takes a while to get into…The plot, while realistic, is a little bland…in my opinion, at least. It’s mostly in the beginning though. It picks up and when it does it becomes something to be recommended. Every character has their flaws, and the more they begin to unravel, the more engaging it gets. It’s a grim story, if you’re looking for something uplifting, you’re not going to find it here. It’s depressing, there is no two ways about it. This is not the best film in the world, but in some ways it's underrated. 

However, it’s got two great leads in Michael J Fox as Joe and Joan Jett as Patti. They both work really well together and great performances from each. The film is worth watching for their performances. 

Patti is a lost soul, trying to find her way in life. She doesn’t get along with her mother, and she’s got a small child to look after as well as trying to make her dreams of being a successful musician reality. Makes sense why she’s mostly unhappy for much of the movie. But I wish they had clarified why exactly she hates her mother so much. If we knew the reason early on, it would have added so much more to the story and to the characters. Sometimes her character got a bit annoying. She seems to live in her own bubble. I know we find out some terribly sad reasons why she is the way she is, but until we do…Well, she wasn’t my favourite part of the film – but Joan Jett played her extremely well.

Meanwhile Joe is in the middle of the mother and daughter feuding trying to keep everyone happy, as well as pursuing his dreams of becoming a successful musician as well. For a brother and sister, they have a great relationship. The relationship between Joe and his nephew, Benji, is cute too. (For the most part anyway, there’s a scene in a bath I find questionable for its inclusion). There’s a scene when Joe is teaching Benji about singing, and a later scene when they are singing and playing guitar together, both of which are quite cute. It's certainly a different role for Michael J Fox than what one would associate him with. But the man never disappoints. 

 Jason Miller, best known for his role as Damien in ‘The Exorcist’. Great actor.

The music is great! There’s a nice collection of catchy songs in there, some great 80s headbangers. The title song ‘Light of Day’ was written and composed by Bruce Springsteen. Joan Jett performed it for the film's soundtrack. If you are a fan of his music (which I am) then this film is worth tagging along with. Paul Shrader's original working title for the film was 'Born In The USA'. After seeing the script, Bruce Springsteen, as we all know, used this title for a track of his own. He often sang 'Light of Day' to close many of his concerts during the late 1980s, through the 1990s. 

I’d say go for it! Why not? There's action, drama, death, bad dialogue, and 80s rock and roll! With these and two great leads, what have you got to lose?!  

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