Customer Reviews

You Light Up My Life

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I remember going to the theatre to see this film during the summer of '77. No, it's not of a "Meryl Streep/Oscar winning" level in production or acting. If it were, the true power of this film would have been lost. Some of the critical reviews are overlooking the lesson this movie delivered. The movie is about believing in yourself despite obstacles, "sudden punches," and quick turns life can give hand out. It's about staying true to your chosen course and the power and belief in one's self because of the support and belief others have in you.

I remember walking out of the film more affected than I thought I would be due to the last scene of the movie with Didi Conn's affecting performance and some her last lines: "I learned something today, Pop. It was really painful, but I learned something. I learned that I have to depend on myself. I can't depend on anybody else and that's ok. You know why? Because I'm a really good person to depend on. Maybe I don't have someone that I thought I loved a lot really, but that's ok because I've got me. And I've got my work. And I've got my music. And I love that- more than anything else on this earth."

I was 25 and at the beginning of making my life choices in career, living on my own, and all the other "adult responsibilites" that come at you in that time in your life whether you're ready or not. I think that's why this film had the impact on me that it did. Maybe if some of the other reviewers- and people who watch this film- look back at that phase in their lives and evaluate the film again in comparison to their 20-something "coming into the real world" experiences, they may modify their original opinions as to the movie's quality.

Yes, I think the film ended a bit abruptly. It would have been a bit of a happy, selfish, enjoyable pleasure to see Laurie Robinson revel in her success because of her perseverance and hard work. At least the viewer was left with the fact that she did become a winner. Everyone needs "happy ending" movies every once in awhile! I am now going to put this DVD in my player and watch this movie I haven't seen in 26 years just so I can see Ms. Conn's ending performance/scene that has stayed with me all this time and hope it still has the same positive power and impression....

Believe it or not, I watched this DVD yesterday and it was my first time watching it ever. Obviously, what had drawn me to the movie was the title track "you light up my life". The movie itself was an inspiration as well. I must agree with the write up from the viewer below that the primary audience for this DVD is for the young adults who try to make it through life. Let's just say that if you are 25 year old and have the talent of Laurie Robinson to write a song, and sing it with the finest musicians in L.A in their rehearsal room in the first take and then received a big applause from them, you are somebody. I am a musician myself, and I have played with some of the big orchestras at the age of 19 - 25, so I can really relate to this movie. The scene with the conductor and Laurie discussing the ¾ times and the violins up an octave are as real as it can be.

The tune itself is fairly simple, so it was conceivable that someone like Laurie can actually came up with it. As far as the acting is concern, not all the casts were bad. I thought Didi Conn did a great job, so is her pop, the conductor, and Laurie's lover Michael Zaslow.

By the way, I always had the album by Debby Boone, and always thought that Debby Boone sang in the movie. Then one day, I found the original vinyl LP soundtrack in my local Goodwill store for 50 cents, and I was totally shock! The title track in the record was 100% better then the Debby Boone version, and it was not sang by Debby Boone. It was sung by Kasey Cysik, One of New York's top session singers at the time. Here is what Debby Boone had to say about Kacey: "Joe Brooks wrote a screenplay and hired Kacey Cisyk to sing five songs for the soundtrack, including the title theme. Later, Kacey claimed she was never paid for that recording session, and her name did not appear in the movie credits. When the soundtrack album came out, her name was misspelled and she was listed as a "background singer."

Kacey Cisyk is the reason I purchased the DVD. She actually had a small part in the movie. She played the 1st Bridesmaid, and you can actually see her recording with Didi Conn in Chapter 3 of your DVD. She said to Didi Conn after the song Do you have a Piano: that was a really good song, and Didi Conn replies: Thanks Casey. Then you also will see Kacey sat in the studio while Didi Conn talks to Si (your pop in the movie) on the phone.

Anyhow, after watching the DVD, I noticed that my original vinyl LP soundtrack is still the best of the best, Kacey's voice dominates through out the record. They must have recorded the long version in the soundtrack in a latter session just for the record. By the way, Kacey was married to Jack Cortner (Song writter) and later married to Ed Rakowicz (sound man). Sadly, Kacey died of breast cancer in 1998 (5 days before her 45th birthday). Kacey's sister, Maria Cisyk (a concert pianist) also died recently of breast cancer in 2003. Enjoy the DVD and the vinyl LP if you can get it.

Despite the fact that the title song became such a huge hit and that it has been ridiculed ever since, should not take away the power of the film hence the song came from.
Remembering the morning at 11am on Friday when the film was released in New York City, i sat there knowing I was the first with a half empty theater witnessing a minor classic unfolding before my eyes.
After the years have passed, I still feel the same honesty that i felt when i first saw it. The film's message was simple. Believe in yourself.
With a small budget, the film was made with more-than-capable actors. The music itself may have dated, but not the performances. At the end, despite the ups and downs of the main character, you walk away with a good feeling.
Just to think that Didi Conn would go to a more commercial role in the filmed version of 'Grease'.
It has romance, laughs, music and tears.
Worth buying.

As a big Michael Zaslow (Roger Thorpe, Guiding Light, CBS, 20 plus years) I have this one in my collection. It is a TERRIBLE movie, however. Mediocre plot, dull, boring, podantic, terrible acting.

The song "You Light Up My Life" was a mega hit back in 1977 for Debby Boone, the daughter of Pat Boone. This song, and several others included in the film are the only redeeming quality this film has to offer. A lousy screenplay with sub-par acting by the key players would make most of us want to see what's on the other channels. Don't watch the video late at night while in bed; you may fall asleep leaving the VCR and TV on.

I remember this film when I was a kid. Don't think it did well in the theaters. However, the title song itself was HUGE. I mean HUGE. For a while, up until 1982, this was a quintessential love song.

This tune sticks out in my head because during elementary and early junior high, we had to sing this song during our music classes. Ugh.

Totally forgot about this song until recently, when the news reports about composer Joseph Brooks came out. As it turns out, the man was an egotistical sociopath/psychopath. Not only did he have visions of grandeur, but he was a pervert, psychological abuser, and (accused) rapist. This was the same person who had penned such a sweet song such as "You Light Up My Life." The same person who directed this movie. Wow.

On top of that, his own son is currently in jail without bail. He stands accused of murdering his estranged girlfriend.

Just goes to show you, appearances aren't everything.

I don't understand some of the people's reviews on this movie. It's a simple move, with a 'great' song, inside of it. Didi Conn did a nice job of playing the naive young woman, but gifted with alot of drive and belief in herself. The supporting cast put in a solid effort, and a very nice movie came out of it. If you're judging it against 'A Star is Born', I can understand why someone might find it inferior, but stand it alone-on it's own merits, and it's a more than adequate, enjoyable movie. My advice to all that didn't care for it, is to sell it on Amazon. Someone like me will be waiting to buy it.

A very pleasant movie although not very well acted.
The story line was somewhat predictable but you found
yourself smiling on several occasions. Best theme song
to a movie I've ever heard. A movie you should see at
least once.

hey, i upped it from one star to two because no matter how bad it is, its not as bad as i always imagined it would be, and i give it credit for that. plus, its got one of my fave actors joe silver. i wont even comment on the song!

BUT,,,,,I loved this movie. It doesn't get anymore corny than this but still this movie has feelings and warmth. This is the underdog of bad films. It's like cheering for the most unpopular kid you went to high school with. Sorry folks and critics, i'm cheering for this one. I really loved it. (maybe it's the song)