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The Sterile Cuckoo

Play trailer Poster for The Sterile Cuckoo PG,  1969,  1h 48m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 88% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 65% 500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Uptight college freshman Jerry Payne (Wendell Burton) finds a carefree friend in zany Pookie (Liza Minnelli). After an awkward meeting on the bus, where they are headed to different colleges, Pookie quickly works her way into Jerry's life. She makes an unannounced visit to Jerry's campus, and before long annoyance turns to affection, and friendship turns to romance. But with Pookie's increasingly neurotic behavior, how long can this love affair last?

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
3/4
The Sterile Cuckoo is not as good as it should have been because it lacks consistency of tone. But parts of it are awfully good, and Miss Minnelli is one hell of an actress. Go to Full Review
Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Sep 11, 2009
7/10
Age has not been particularly kind to it, but... [it's] carried off with far more competence and assurance than many directorial debuts have enjoyed. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 4, 2005
3/5
Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Feb 7, 2005
3/5
Steve Crum Kansas City Kansan Oct 15, 2004
2/5
If I hear "Come Saturday Morning" one more time, I will throw something at innocent Pookie! Go to Full Review
Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks Apr 20, 2004
3/5
Liza Minnelli starring as a free spirit named "Pookie" could get old fast--but it doesn't, and the movie is warm and engaging. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rey S Jun 19, 2017 Great movie. Liza Minnelli does an awesome job.
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The Sterile Cuckoo

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alan J. Pakula

Director

Liza Minnelli

Pookie Adams

Wendell Burton

Jerry Payne

Tim McIntire

Charlie Schumacher

Elizabeth Harrower

Landlady

Austin Green

Pookie's Father

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The Sterile Cuckoo

The Sterile Cuckoo (1969) The Sterile Cuckoo (1969) The Sterile Cuckoo (1969) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Uptight college freshman Jerry Payne (Wendell Burton) finds a carefree friend in zany Pookie (Liza Minnelli). After an awkward meeting on the bus, where they are headed to different colleges, Pookie quickly works her way into Jerry's life. She makes an unannounced visit to Jerry's campus, and before long annoyance turns to affection, and friendship turns to romance. But with Pookie's increasingly neurotic behavior, how long can this love affair last?
Director
Alan J. Pakula
Producer
Alan J. Pakula
Screenwriter
Alvin Sargent
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 22, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 13, 2017
Runtime
1h 48m
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