Sweet Liberty (1986)
A history professor's quiet life implodes when Hollywood arrives to film his book on the American Revolution — bringing chaos, comedy, and unexpected infatuation.
Sweet Liberty - Movie Information
- Original Title: Sweet Liberty
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Alan Alda
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 16, 1986 (Sweden - 15), May 16, 1986 (United States - PG)
- Alternative Titles: Ljuva Frihet (SE), Den søde frihed (DK)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Sweet Liberty - Plot
Michael Burgess is an academic who has written a scholarly book on the American Revolution which Hollywood has bought the film rights to. The arrival of the film crew seriously disrupts him as actors want to change their characters, directors want to re-stage battles, and he becomes infatuated with Faith who will play the female lead in the movie. At the same time, he is fighting with his crazy mother who thinks the Devil lives in her kitchen, and his girlfriend who is talking about commitment.
Sweet Liberty - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the Hollywood madness unfold:
Michael Burgess wrote a book about the American Revolution. Now, Hollywood's come to his town to make a movie of it -- Plunging him into a summer of madness.
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Sweet Liberty - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alan Alda
Main Cast
- Alan Alda
- Michael Caine
- Michelle Pfeiffer
- Bob Hoskins
- Lise Hilboldt
- Lillian Gish
- Saul Rubinek
- Lois Chiles
- Linda Thorson
- Leo Burmester
Writers
- Alan Alda
Producers
- Martin Bregman
Sweet Liberty - FAQs
What is Sweet Liberty about?
Sweet Liberty follows Michael Burgess, a small-town history professor whose book on the American Revolution gets turned into a Hollywood movie. When the film crew rolls in, his orderly life unravels — he falls for the lead actress, clashes with eccentric filmmakers, and juggles a demanding mother and a restless girlfriend.
Does the Hollywood crew actually respect Michael's book?
Not really — and that's the heart of the comedy. The director rewrites battles for spectacle, the actors reshape their characters to suit their egos, and Michael's carefully researched history gets cheerfully mangled. His growing frustration as a scholar watching Hollywood do its thing is one of the film's most entertaining running jokes.
Where can you stream Sweet Liberty?
Sweet Liberty is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's not currently on a subscription streaming service, but it's easy to find across all the major digital rental platforms.
What is the chemistry like between Alda and Pfeiffer?
It's warm and playful. Michelle Pfeiffer brings a breezy, magnetic energy to Faith Healy, and Alan Alda's flustered academic makes for an endearing foil. Their dynamic captures the awkward pull of infatuation — Michael knows the attraction is foolish, but he can't quite help himself, which gives their scenes a genuinely charming tension.
Who are the main actors in Sweet Liberty?
The film brings together a terrific ensemble. Alan Alda leads as the beleaguered professor Michael Burgess, with Michael Caine as the scene-stealing lead actor Elliott James, Michelle Pfeiffer as the alluring Faith Healy, Bob Hoskins as the harried screenwriter Stanley Gould, and Lillian Gish in a memorable turn as Michael's eccentric mother.
Did Alan Alda write and direct Sweet Liberty?
Yes — Sweet Liberty is very much an Alan Alda passion project. He wrote the screenplay, directed the film, and stars as the lead. It's a rare triple role that gives the movie a consistent, personal comic sensibility, drawing on Alda's signature blend of warmth, wit, and gentle self-deprecation.
Is Sweet Liberty suitable for all ages?
Sweet Liberty is rated PG, making it a comfortable watch for families and older kids. The humor is light and character-driven rather than edgy, and the romantic elements stay firmly in screwball-comedy territory. It's the kind of breezy, good-natured film that holds up well for a mixed-age audience.
What movies are similar to Sweet Liberty?
If you enjoy Sweet Liberty's blend of academic comedy and romantic chaos, try The Rewrite (2014) with Hugh Grant, Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960), The Tall Guy (1989), or Stage Beauty (2004). Trial and Error (1997) and Smart People (2008) also share that same mix of intellectual humor and romantic entanglement.
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