The Sterile Cuckoo

A tender, bittersweet portrait of first love, anchored by a quirky, vulnerable performance, leaving a lingering ache.

Directed by

Alan J. Pakula

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Starring

Liza Minnelli, Wendell Burton, Tim McIntire

Tagline

First love... if it happens to you once, you're lucky

Overview

Uptight college freshman Jerry Payne finds a carefree friend in zany Pookie. After an awkward meeting on the bus, 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?

How it feels

Melancholic, warm, earnest and tense. Slow-burning and needs your attention.

About

Coming-of-age, love, identity, isolation

Content

Mild sexual content and language. No violence or gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)