Cinderella Liberty (1973)

A heart warming story

A sailor, whose papers are missing is forced to stay in the area, falls for a hooker with a street wise kid, and falls for both. The subsequent story of love, frustration, and questioning of feasibility for change make this Cinderella movie a heart warming, message bearing,"feel good" story. Excellent portrayals by Marsha Mason and James Caan. September 10, 2008

jazzman

The film is good, but the soundtrack is absolutely fabulous; one of the
most touching, romantic, and beautiful I've ever heard. "Nice to be
Around" from the film is so gorgeous. John and Paul Williams did the
fabulous jazz based score and song. It's only available on vinyl, but I
obtained a perfectly enhanced cd-rom copy recently, which was worth every
penny. The harmonica solo's by the great Toots Thielemans comprise some
of the best work he's ever done and really evoke the emotionally touching
scenes from the film. It's a fine military film with excellent work from
Caan and Mason in a doomed romance, but it's the music soundtrack that's
superb. June 19, 2008

What a surprise

I don't want to say much about this movie because I think the less someone knows about it the better. I just saw the DVD having no idea what to expect. I could tell from the cover that it was some sort of Navy story but that was all. Don't read any reviews. Just get the DVD.

I will just say that if you "get" this movie, it will be one of your favorites. To me, it is a classic that should be taught in film school. Side note: Anyone who knows and likes Seattle today will get a kick out of seeing another side to the old Emerald City.
September 26, 2007

Caan is Superb

"Cinderella Liberty" is another example as to why the Seventies were so great. Filmmakers could tackle more provocative subject matter but not at the expense of character. James Caan's turn as John Baggs, a loner Navy lifer, couldn't be anymore different than Sonny Corleone. This is a nuanced performance of quiet understatement that holds your attention as well as the film together. Caan was inexplicably overlooked by the Academy. Why I don't give the film the full five star treatment is I didn't buy the central romance between Baggs and Maggie the streetwalker played by Marsha Mason, who was nominated. Outside of a plot convenience I didn't get this relationship at all. For that matter I didn't buy Mason as a worldweary lady of the night. There is more chemistry between Baggs and Maggie's bi-racial son Doug played by Kirk Calloway. There is a streetwise naturalness to Calloway's performance that you almost believe he was plucked from the mean streets. Another debit is the god-awful warbling of Paul Williams on the soundtrack. Williams won an Oscar for his treacly "Evergreen" in 1976. Randy Newman had to wait 16 times before he won. Go figure. Of note is that this is one of two naval flicks released in 1973 based on Daryl Ponicsan novels, the other being "The Last Detail" starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Hal Ashby. I give "The Last Detail" the edge here but both would make a superb double-bill. April 2, 2007

Tear Jerker

Great Acting on all parts. Marsha Mason, James Caan, Kirk Calloway and the great Eli Wallach. The interaction between Kirk Calloway and James Caan is untouchable. March 10, 2007

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