MovieChat Forums > Liberty Heights (1999) Discussion > Just watched this movie...

Just watched this movie...

posted 14 years ago by PTUTSON
8 replies | jump to latest

last week and I cannot believe I hadn't seen or heard of it before. I thought it was excellent. Great cast, very interesting story and time period.

[–] andreas-schmidt-pabst 14 years ago

I just watched it about ten minutes ago and I found it really good. Funny, warmhearted and thoughtful.
But I´ve heard from it before. I saw outtakes when it was in cinema. They showed a scene with the sign with "No Jews, no dogs and no coloreds" and one scene with the Hitler costume.
I find it is a pitty that this movie only get a rating of 7,0.

[–] ruth44 13 years ago

I just saw it on cable TV for the first time and was fascinated by the film, the acting and the quality. Really excellent.

[–] sarah2670 13 years ago

I've just watched this wonderful movie and I too wonder why it's not as well-known as it should be. I guess it's never been released in Italy, where I live. It's a shame. Great screenplay and awesome actors. Some scenes just killed me, like the Hitler costume scene and the "jawbone of an ass" discussion. It's hilarious!
Ben Foster is one of the best actors around, I'm sure he'll get an Oscar someday.

[–] jackfrusciante80 13 years ago

Italy? I didn't think they would show this in Italy, I guess they did huh?

Have you seen his other movies set in Baltimore? Diner, Avalon and Tin Man? all really great

[–] sarah2670 13 years ago

Well, I found this page about who dubbed Liberty Heights into Italian, so I think it was actually released:
http://www.antoniogenna.net/doppiaggio/film/libertyheights.htm

Btw, I can't see no reason why it couldn't have been released here as well. Do you think Italy is anti-semite or something? We're having some problems with democracy, indeed, but luckily we are not in the 40's anymore ;)

No, I haven't seen the other Levinson's Baltimore movies yet. Thanks for recommending, anyway; I'll watch them for sure :)

[–] jackfrusciante80 13 years ago

They probably dubbed it and showed it on Mediaset, when they were up and coming in the 90s maybe? who knows?

I dont think it was anti antisemitism though, it was probably more of a lesser known movie, doesn't have the appeal that other Hollywood movies have.

Plus, the problems of the movie seem to be somewhat relating to Baltimore, which can be hard to show to a foreign audience and make them feel for it. Before I moved to the States, I probably wouldn't have cared much about Levison's Baltimore movies, but now, its awhile different story?

Let me know how you like them. I think my favorite of the bunch is Avalon, because of the immigrants story which is a bit too close for me ::

[–] sarah2670 13 years ago

Sorry for my late reply. I've finally watched the complete Baltimore series and I really liked it. They are all great movies, but I agree Avalon is the best along with Liberty Heights. Diner is good as well, with some hilarious scenes (the story of Steve Guttenberg's marriage and the footbal test craked me up!). Tin Man is maybe the less original of the bunch, but still a good movie. I remember having seen it a couple of times on tv, many years ago. Diner was also shown several times on Mediaset (Rete 4, I guess), with the Italian title "A cena con gli amici".
Well, I'm glad to have discovered this less-known movies in Barry Levinson's filmography. I've always considered him a good director, but now he's definitely among my favourites!
Btw, are you Italian too?
Ciao :)

[–] waldenpond66 9 years ago

We just watched it tonight and rated it 8 stars which doesn't happen too often.
We watched all previous Levinson movies taking place in Baltimore, but this is by far the best!
Great cast, great plot...we were disappointed when it was over as time seemed to fly.
"The Pianist" will always be my favorite Adrian Brody movie, but this is definitely # 2.