Bright Lights, Big City
1988 · Movie · R · 107 min · ★ 5.7 · 56% critics
A young writer in 1980s New York spirals into heavy partying, drugs, and drinking as he tries to numb grief and avoid facing a crumbling personal life. As work and relationships unravel, he’s pushed to confront what he’s been running from and consider a way forward.
Based on Bright Lights, Big City
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi — also streaming on MGM+.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1988
- Release date
- 1988-04-01
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 56/100
- TMDB rating
- 5.7/10 (138 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a bittersweet, character-focused look at nightlife, grief, and consequences rather than nonstop thrills; Not for you if you need a fast plot or a harsher addiction spiral like Earthquake Bird.
Pros: honest emotional core; strong lead performance; vivid 80s NYC vibe | Cons: uneven pacing; addiction feels restrained; ending feels unresolved
Themes
- based on novel or book
- yuppie
- nightclub
- magazine
- writer
- drugs
- sunglasses
- world trade center
- fashion show
- new wave
- playful
- vibrant
Cast & crew
Michael J. Fox
as Jamie
Kiefer Sutherland
as Tad
Phoebe Cates
as Amanda
Swoosie Kurtz
as Megan
Frances Sternhagen
as Clara
Tracy Pollan
as Vicky
John Houseman
as Mr. Vogel
Charlie Schlatter
as Michael
David Warrilow
as Rittenhouse
Dianne Wiest
as Mother
Directed by James Bridges