Sweet Liberty *** (1986, Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lillian Gish, Bob Hoskins, Saul Rubinek, Lois Chiles) – Classic Movie Review 13,527

Alan Alda’s 1986 sweet satirical comedy film Sweet Liberty stars Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bob Hoskins.

Alan Alda’s 1986 Universal Pictures film Sweet Liberty stars Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lillian Gish, Bob Hoskins, Saul Rubinek and Lois Chiles, along with Lise Hilboldt and Larry Shue.

Writer, director and star Alan Alda’s sweet satirical comedy centres on a college history professor (Alda) whose hometown is invaded by a movie company when his fact-based novel about the American Revolution is filmed.

There are particularly droll performances from Michael Caine as the philandering leading man, Michelle Pfeiffer as his breathy, ambitious co-star, Bob Hoskins as the perky, helpful scriptwriter, and Saul Rubinek as the condescending director. Alda also finds room for beloved silent-film icon Lillian Gish as his character’s senile mother.

Sweet Liberty is a minor, but definite delight. Caine, Pfeiffer and Hoskins are the comedic lifeblood of the movie.

Lise Hilboldt plays Alda’s girlfriend Gretchen; Lois Chiles plays the college president’s wife, and Linda Thorson plays Caine’s wife.

Alda’s script is partly inspired by his experiences caring for his sick parents in two different hospitals. He said: ‘It was the worst year of my life and I thought this is so miserable there must be a funny movie in it!’

Sweet Liberty was released in the US on 16 May 1986, the third highest grossing movie of its debut week, after Top Gun and Short Circuit, taking a total of $14,285,000 at the US box office. 

Alan Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in Manhattan. He spent his childhood travelling the US with his parents, supporting his father Robert Alda (born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D’Abruzzo) as actor and singer.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,527

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com