Bright Lights, Big City (1988)

Directed by James Bridges. Starring Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland, Swoosie Kurtz, Frances Sternhagen, Jason Robards, Tracy Pollan, Phoebe Cates, Charlie Schlatter, Dianne Wiest, John Houseman, Alec Mapa. [R]

Loose film adaptation of Jay McInerney’s life-in-the-1980s-fast-lane novel centers on several days in the life of a young aspiring writer played by Fox, who works as a New York magazine fact-checker and is hooked on the decadence and desperation of the city’s seedy nightlife, fueled by gallons of alcohol, a blizzard of cocaine, and plenty of bad influences (notably sleazy pal Sutherland). It’s not so much that he’s addicted to the party lifestyle than it is a matter of seeking an outlet for his grief over a recently deceased mother (Wiest) and a failed marriage. Surprisingly coherent and tasteful considering the trappings, but director Bridges never brings the fire and energy needed to convincingly portray either extreme of the glitz and the horror; some potent moments of dark reflection interspersed with scenes that don’t work at all (the coma baby hallucination and the ferret episode, among others). Though Fox’s specific talents are ill-suited for the role, he gives it his all and impresses at times, but like the script and direction, is too uneven to be truly memorable. William Hickey has a bit part; look for David Hyde-Pierce as a fashion show bartender that Fox bribes for a drink.

65/100