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Sweet Liberty

PG Released May 14, 1986 1h 46m Comedy List
76% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 37% Audience Score 500+ Ratings
A professor (Alan Alda) tries to stop a film crew from making a teen comedy out of his book about the Revolution. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (17) Critics Reviews
Catherine Rambeau Detroit Free Press Mature audiences looking for decent mainstream entertainment should have a good time watching the consequences of this classic Hollywood standoff. Rated: 6/10 Oct 27, 2021 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The movie wants to juggle a lot of characters all at once, but it keeps dropping the most interesting ones. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...an erratically-paced comedy that grows less and less interesting as it progresses... Rated: 2/4 May 5, 2022 Full Review B.L. Panther The Spool While the film suffers from a shoehorned relationship plot that tries to mirror the historical "romance" at the center of his book being filmed, the film excels when Michael confronts the film crew. Jul 6, 2021 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy If you want a ruthless picture about moviemaking, go with Sunset Boulevard, S.O.B. or The Player. But if you want a toothless picture about moviemaking, then Sweet Liberty should hit the sweet spot. Rated: 2.5/4 May 8, 2021 Full Review Ángel Fernández-Santos El Pais (Spain) The film is relaxed, entertaining, and playful. [Full Review in Spanish] Mar 10, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (20) audience reviews
Steve D The cast deserved a better script. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Moviemaking is fun but changing the entire vision can be nerve racking Alan Alda, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Caine, and the late Bob Hoskins Here, Michael (Alda) has written a scholarly book on the revolutionary war and sold the film rights The arrival of the film crew in town seriously disrupts him as actors want to change their characters, directors want to re-stage battles, and he becomes very infatuated with Faith (Pfeiffer) who will play the female lead At the same time, he is fighting with his crazy mother who thinks the Devil lives in her kitchen, she is senile after all Plus his girlfriend is against living together while marriage is completely off the table Can this movie actually get made whilst this teacher's life spirals out of control? Michael has a lot to balance out so the creation he made can be fully realized This is a toothless film about the movie making process but very comedic Michael throughout this whole shoot learns to reassess his priorities in life when it comes to being an actual historian and finding love This doesn't go for high biting satire but still light enough, relaxing, and overall enjoyable seeing a writer's vision come to life in a way he didn't quite count on Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I've always loved Alan Alda's style of writing, directing and acting. I really liked this 'feel good' film. Although he is getting on in age, I'd love to see him write, direct & act. Even playing Sen. Owen Brewster in The Aviator, a right wing senator, he was amazing & his role in the West Wing. He was up for a Academy (and should have won. As a liberal, he nailed the role. Alan is one of my favorite actors and regardless of being 82 years old, I sure hope he returns to the silver screen ! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review william s Fun lighthearted story with killer cast on their game. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Tv's MASH Alan Alda wrote..directed and stars in this boring romantic comedy about a American history professor who's life is turned upside down when a film crew arrives in his town to make a moviie based on a book he wrote...NOTHING rings true in this movie and it's all very carbon copy by the numbers. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Great little trifle. Nice date flick, esp for those who love behind-the-scenes movie stuff! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sweet Liberty

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid 77% 72% Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Twins 42% 39% Twins Matinee 93% 63% Matinee TRAILER for Matinee The Sting II 10% 29% The Sting II Fletch Lives 35% 55% Fletch Lives Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A professor (Alan Alda) tries to stop a film crew from making a teen comedy out of his book about the Revolution.
Director
Alan Alda
Producer
Martin Bregman
Screenwriter
Alan Alda
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 14, 1986, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Nov 23, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA)
$12.7M
Runtime
1h 46m