Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Sweet Bird of Youth

Name: Sweet Bird of Youth
Genre: Drama
Released: 1962-03-21
Cast: Paul Newman, Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, Ed Begley, Rip Torn

1962 | 120 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It won an Oscar, though it had soft box office. 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 Hairspray, start here.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
What might put you off: Made in 1962: an older pace and style.

Gigolo and drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown as the companion of a faded movie star, Alexandra Del Lago, whom he hopes to use to help him break into the movies. Chance runs into trouble when he finds his ex-girlfriend, the daughter of the local politician Tom "Boss" Finley, who more or less forced him to leave his daughter and the town many years ago.

How it earned its rating

CriticsSolid
53 on Metacritic
AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars, 3 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 1 other award.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 45K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Richard Brooks

Paul NewmanChance Wayne
Geraldine PageAlexandra Del Lago
Shirley KnightHeavenly Finley
Ed BegleyTom 'Boss' Finley
Rip TornTom Finley Jr.
Mildred DunnockAunt Nonnie
Madeleine SherwoodMiss Lucy
Philip AbbottGeorge Scudder
Corey AllenScotty
Barry CahillBud