Liberty Heights
Seen it?1999 | 127 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Freedom Writers, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
This semi-autobiographical film by Barry Levinson follows various members of the Kurtzman clan, a Jewish family living in suburban Baltimore during the 1950s. As teenaged Ben completes high school, he falls for Sylvia, a black classmate, creating inevitable tensions. Meanwhile, Ben's brother, Van, attends college and becomes smitten with a mysterious woman while their father tries to maintain his burlesque business.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 49K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Barry Levinson
- Adrien BrodyVan Kurtzman
- Ben FosterBen Kurtzman
- Orlando JonesLittle Melvin
- Bebe NeuwirthAda Kurtzman
- Joe MantegnaNate Kurtzman
- David KrumholtzYussel
- Rebekah JohnsonSylvia
- Richard KlineCharlie, Nate's Assistant
- Vincent GuastaferroPete, Nate's Assistant
- Justin ChambersTrey Tobelseted