Where the Day Takes You

R

1992

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

80%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

King (Dermot Mulroney) is a young man, but he's already a veteran of life on the streets of Los Angeles. The de facto leader of a group of runaways, King acts as a mentor to troubled kids such as gay hustler Little J (Balthazar Getty) and junkie Greg (Sean Astin). When Heather (Lara Flynn Boyle), a beautiful girl from Chicago, starts hanging out with King and his crew, it changes the dynamic of the gang. However, it seems as though nothing will alter their dangerous lifestyle.

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renee m

Loved this movie since ‘94! What a cast! The story and acting are both powerful and eye opening. Watch this masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Jeff M

This movie was undoubtedly made with the best of intentions, and there are definitely moments here and there that ring true, especially scenes involving Sean Astin, who gives the film's best performance and is the only character that seems grittily realstic throughout. Where the film faces an uphill battle, like most movies trying to portray the decay of society, is that it all just feels a bit too polished and almost glamorous. A scene in which some of the characters jump from a bridge to a moving train ends with two romantic lovebirds standing atop said train in each other's arms as if they were auditioning for Jack and Rose in TITANIC. Even the scenes involving extreme violence don't feel authentic. Minor characters are introduced and given a scene or two and then just seem to disappear. Unexpected cameo appearances by the likes of Nancy McKeon from THE FACTS OF LIFE (her brother executive produced the movie) and Alyssa Milano from WHO'S THE BOSS feel like gimicks. One is left recognizing how different they are than their television personas but not accepting them as actual characters. In fact the whole movie 30 years later feels more like an album of young, recognizable SAG actors. The ending is also a terrible misjudgment and feels like a cop out compared to what the rest of the film is trying to accomplish.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

the s

Despite all the star power crammed into this movie, it's still the picture of mediocrity. The storyline is like an after school special…generic street kid story that has all the stereotypical elements and zero flavor or spice. Even the actors seem unimpressed with what's going on where the dialogue is concerned. Everyone phoned it in on this one. And even though it had decent reviews (somehow) I'd never heard of it. The casting director really went for broke with the 90s version of the brat pack…everyone from Christian Slater to Balthazar Getty to Ricky Lake…still, it just didn't work on a critical level. It has flown under the radar for a reason.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A highly underrated movie. I've seen it many times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved this movie when I was younger. Now that I have more experience and a more mature angle from which to view it... it's still good. I just think it might make being a homeless teenager look a bit more glamorous than reality. The soundtrack of Melissa Etheridge suits it well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

gr8 cast makes this gritty drama really gets it right

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Marc Rocco

Director

Dermot Mulroney

King

Lara Flynn Boyle

Heather

Balthazar Getty

Little J

Sean Astin

Greg

James LeGros

Crasher

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie, which was shot on and around Hollywood Boulevard, shows a side of runaway kids we haven't seen before: how they form surrogate families in the streets, seeking reassurance and security that they never felt at home.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Steve Davis

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Though hovering between art and sociology, realism and stylization, Rocco's film serves as showcase for young cohort of actors including Will Smith, Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, Lara Flynn Boyle and Balthazar Getty.

Rated: C+

Aug 27, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Nothing new here to be glommed, but this slickly done film is nevertheless hard-hitting.

Rated: C

Feb 15, 2004

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 28, 2002

Full Review

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Synopsis

King (Dermot Mulroney) is a young man, but he's already a veteran of life on the streets of Los Angeles. The de facto leader of a group of runaways, King acts as a mentor to troubled kids such as gay hustler Little J (Balthazar Getty) and junkie Greg (Sean Astin). When Heather (Lara Flynn Boyle), a beautiful girl from Chicago, starts hanging out with King and his crew, it changes the dynamic of the gang. However, it seems as though nothing will alter their dangerous lifestyle.

Director: Marc Rocco
Executive Producer: Lisa M. Hansen, Marc Rocco
Screenwriter: Marc Rocco
Production Co: CineTel Films, John Cornett & Doc Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $389.0K
Sound Mix: Surround

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