Sweet Liberty (1986)
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75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(814 ratings)
Alan Alda wrote, directed, and starred in this satirical film about the corruption of the film industry's approach to history. Alda plays Michael Burgess, a college professor who has written a historical novel about the American Revolution. The book has been turned into a script, and a Hollywood… More Alan Alda wrote, directed, and starred in this satirical film about the corruption of the film industry's approach to history. Alda plays Michael Burgess, a college professor who has written a historical novel about the American Revolution. The book has been turned into a script, and a Hollywood film crew descends on his North Carolina hometown to make the movie. Predictably, the director and actors make a mess of his concept, and Burgess becomes frustrated as the town is turned upside down. Desperately, he tries to salvage his concept with some last-minute script changes. To make things more complicated, Burgess falls in love with the glamorous female lead in the film, Faith Healy (Michelle Pfeiffer). Meanwhile, his long-time girlfriend, Gretchen (Lise Hilboldt) is pressuring him to get married. The film's male star, Elliott James (Michael Caine), finally shows up in town and becomes Burgess's rival for Faith's affections. Silent film star Lillian Gish appears as Burgess's smother. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
OK light comedy, directed by and starring Alan Alda, about filming of movie in small town.
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Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
free-wheeling and enjoyable
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Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
A sweet, funny comedy about the perils of being a writer and making a movie. An underrated charmer.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
"featherweight farce, performed agreeably"
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Cast
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Alan Alda
as Michael Burgess
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Michael Caine
as Elliott James
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Michelle Pfeiffer
as Faith Healy
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Bob Hoskins
as Stanley Gould
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Lise Hilboldt
as Gretchen Carlsen
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Lillian Gish
as Cecelia Burgess
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Saul Rubinek
as Bo Hodges
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Lois Chiles
as Leslie
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Diane Agostini
as Nurse
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Anthony Alda
as Film Crew Member
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Alvin Alexis
as Male Student
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Christopher Bregman
as Running Boy
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Leo Burmeister
as Hank
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Cynthia Burr
as Asst. Camera
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Timothy Carhart
as Eagleton
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Michael Flanagan
as Frank Stirling
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Dann Florek
as Jesse
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Christopher Loomis
as Cinematographer
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Kevin McClarnon
as FX Man
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John C. McGinley
as Floyd
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Polly Rowles
as Mrs. Delvechio
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Fred Sanders
as Soundman
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Robert Schenkkan
as Pilot
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Lynne Thigpen
as Claire
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Linda Thorson
as Grace
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Frank Ferrara
as Lopert
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Richard Whiting
as Johnny Delvechio
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Bonnie Deroski
as Female Student
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David Gideon
as Camera Operator
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Katherine Gowan
as TV Interviewer
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Terry Hinz
as FX Man
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John Leonidas
as Teamster
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William Parry
as Teamster
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Larry Shue
as Edson
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Eric Steven Stahl
as Hotel Clerk
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Robert Zarem
as Publicist
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Bryan Clark
as Governor Swayze
