the robert downey jr film guide

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Baby It’s You (1983)

Tags: Minimal Screentime, The Invisible Man, Drama, Last Resort for the Obsessive Fan, Career Trajectory: Unknown Actor, Period Piece, On DVD in Region 1, Rated R

Summary

The story of a teen girl in the 1960s.

Director

John Sayles

Downey Factor

Barely in it.

Character

Stewart, the prom date of the main character’s friend.

Looks

Fleeting.

Performance

Pretty much just sits there.

Dies, Gay or Villain

No, no, no.

Cast

Rosanna Arquette, Matthew Modine, Fisher Stevens

Connection

Matthew Modine in Short Cuts. Fisher Stevens in Only You.

RDJ Says

At the time I was working at a restaurant called Central Falls as a busboy, a lot of friends of mine were all auditioning for this ... I had four weeks work in Baby It’s You, and I told all my friends I was now, officially, a major talent and film star. And then they cut my scenes out. You don’t even see me except in one scene—you see me in the background until this self-indulgent actress leans forward to try and get more camera time ... my friends called “Maybe It’s You.”

Time & Place

1960s Trenton, New Jersey

Foreign Titles

Argentina: Nena Eres Tu (Baby It’s You)
Italy: Promesse, Promesse (Promises, Promises)
Poland: Baby, To Jestes ty (Baby It’s You)

Availability

Released in theaters 4 March 1983. On DVD in region 1.

Rotten Tomatoes

93% Fresh | 14 Reviews

2 Reasons to See It

1. Maybe the plot, or you like John Sayles or something. Who knows.
2. You’re throwing a “Forgotten Coming of Age Films” festival.

Overall

Since he’s really not in it, I can’t recommend seeing it.

Photos