LIGHT OF DAY
US, 1987, 97 minutes, Colour.
Michael J. Fox, Gena Rowlands, Joan Jett, Michael Mc Kean.
Directed by Paul Schrader.
Light of Day was written and directed by Paul Schrader. Schrader established his reputation as a writer with such films as Taxi Driver. He directed a number of films in the '70s and '80s including Blue Collar, American Gigolo, Cat People, Hardcore, Mishima, The Comfort of Strangers.
The film has echoes of autobiography. Schrader has often written about his life in the Midwest, the small town atmosphere and morality, the influence of the work ethic-oriented churches. Here, highlighting relationships between children and parents, he also focuses on the hypocrisy of this religion.
The film, however, is a portrait of young adults and their enjoyment of rock and roll - and wanting to make a career of music. Rock and roll artist Joan Jett portrays the sister, Patti. The film was also a star vehicle for Michael J. Fox as Joe. It is one of his more serious roles (along with Casualties of War and Bright Lights, Big City) - though he is more comfortable in light comedy e.g. the Back to the Future series, The Hard Way, Doc Hollywood. Gena Rowlands gives a typical performance as their mother. Jason Miller is the ineffectual father.
The film received mixed reviews - it seemed different from what people would expect of Schrader. However, while focusing on rock and roll and performance, it is yet another study of relationships in the American family.
1.A rock and roll film? A piece of Americana? Family relationships? The background of religion?
2.The Midwest towns, on the road, the clubs and bars? The presentation of the music, the musical score and songs? Performance and arrangements?
3.The title, the focus on Joe, on Patti, on their parents, especially their mother? The conflict and the resolution - light of day at the end?
4.The focus on Joe and Patti: their performance, skills, the group? The revelation of character - Patti and her resentment, absence from home, her love for her baby, the secrecy about the father? Her caught up in the music, her moodiness, interactions with Joe? Love - and hostility? The visits home and her hostile attitude, her feeling oppressed, wanting to get out? Her attacks on her mother? Leaving her son with Joe? Out on the road, her friends, her driven experience and desperation? Her absence from her child, the confrontation with Joe? Her mother's illness, Joe bringing her? The breaking down of barriers - her sitting at her mother's bedside, the impact of her mother's confession, reconciliation? Patti's love, telling her the truth about the father? The reconciliation and the mother's death? Her not coming to the funeral - playing video games, Joe coming to get her, the reconciliation? Her love for her child, her love for rock and roll and its meanings, giving meaning to her life, living for the day? Her antagonism towards religion and the father of her child? A future, calming down, being able to play with Joe?
5.Joe, ordinary young man, love for his sister, skill with music, playing? Relationship with the rest of the group, friendships? The visits home, the tension with Patti? Discussions with his mother and father? His mother nagging, Patti's hostile reaction and leaving the house? His pleading with her? Listening to his mother, talking to his father? His bowing out of the group? His work, losing his job? His care for the boy? His looking for Patti, bringing her to the hospital? Waiting, love for his mother, her death? Talking with his father? The funeral, the confrontation with Patti, bringing her back to the funeral? With the group again, playing - a future?
6.The mother, typical mother of the Midwest, her values, religion? Dominant in the household? Her relationship with her husband? Her nagging, pressure on Patti? Reliance on Joe? The meals, tensions, happiness? Her love for her grandchild? Her illness, hospital, the tests, the visits, her weariness? Her fatal illness, the doctor, the minister? Her reconciliation with Patti - her confession, her atonement, reconciliation? Her asking Patti to make sure that her husband married again because he needed companionship? Her death?
7.Her husband, quiet, work, at home, not knowing what to say to his wife? Supporting her? Dominated by her? Weak with his children? Watching television, ready to talk, not knowing what to say? Hospital, his wife's death, his grief?
8.The minister, his support of the family - and the irony of his being the father of Patti's child? His not wanting her to go to see her mother?
9.The members of the group, personalities, relationships, performance? Tensions? On the road? A future?
10.The atmosphere of the American cities, homes, hospitals, religion? The contrast with being on the road, the clubs and bars, their patrons? The managers, musicians?
11.A piece of Americana - mirroring relationships, ambitions and tensions of the '80s?
