Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

About Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

"Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds" is a 2017 documentary film that offers an intimate look at the complex relationship between Hollywood royalty, Debbie Reynolds, and her daughter, Carrie Fisher. The movie cleverly intertwines Performing Arts, Nostalgia, Fame, and Family to deliver an emotionally rich storytelling experience. Directed by Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom, this documentary was released posthumously following the death of Fisher and Reynolds in December 2016.

Making / Production

The production of "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds" broke the traditional mold of documentary filmmaking, presenting a story candidly, and heavily reliant on personal archives and home videos of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. The directors, Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom, focused on drawing out personal, raw moments to depict an authentic depiction of their lives and relationship.

Actors

• Carrie Fisher: Playing herself in this documentary, Carrie Fisher stars as one of the main characters, effectively portraying her experiences as a Hollywood star, mental health advocate, and her complicated relationship with her mother.
• Debbie Reynolds: Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds is presented in her full glory, a star of the Golden Age of Hollywood and a dedicated mother. Despite her declining health, she remained committed to her craft by continually performing.
• Star Wars Cast Members and Celebrities: Several other celebrities, including cast members from the Star Wars films, make appearances in the documentary, often praising Carrie Fisher for her honesty and her humor.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary was aired on HBO only 8 days after the death of Carrie Fisher.
• A part of the documentary was filmed at the 2015 Screen Actors Guild, where Reynolds received her Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The film was shown at Cannes in 2016 - the same year both Fisher and Reynolds passed away.

Awards

"Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds" has received several nominations and awards. That includes a nomination for Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Documentary and the Movies for Grownups Award from AARP The Magazine for the Best Documentary.

Quotes

• "Age is horrible for all of us. But she falls from a greater height." - Carrie Fisher on her mother
• "You know what would be really good? To get to the end of my personality and just lay in the sun." - Carrie Fisher
• "I'm my mom's best friend. Far more than Mom, she's my best friend." - Carrie Fisher

Music and Soundtrack

• The film’s haunting score composed by Paul Cantelon adds a considerable emotional depth, enhancing the touching and intimate moments of the documentary.
• Classic performances and renditions from Debbie Reynolds also feature prominently throughout the movie, evoking nostalgia for the golden age of Hollywood.