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Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017) movie poster

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey is a 2017 drama directed by Terry Sanders, starring Madison Iseman, Mikey Madison and Kristin Minter. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
Echo Score
48
Metascore
37
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Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Terry Sanders
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey About?

The premise of Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the summer of 1966, as social tensions rise, Liza, a 15-year-old, and her 16-year-old boyfriend, Brett, set off on a motorcycle trip along California's coast. Their journey spans four days and explores themes of young love and rebellion against a backdrop of draft wars and a changing cultural landscape. They navigate uncertain futures and burgeoning desires in this tender and poignant story.

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • motorcycle
  • period drama
  • teenager
  • mother daughter relationship
  • teen drama
  • 1960s
  • coming of age drama
  • romantic relationship
  • couple
  • teen romance
  • friendship
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Cast & crew

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Cast

Madison Iseman leads the cast, with Mikey Madison and Kristin Minter. Directed by Terry Sanders; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Terry Sanders

More films directed by Terry Sanders, best-rated first: The Night of the Hunter, Fighting for Life and The Legend of Marilyn Monroe.

Full filmography
Ratings

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (30).

48 /100

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Echo Score Breakdown

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey struggles with narrative cohesion and pacing despite sporadic moments of period authenticity. Critics note that the plot meanders without sufficient tension, and the editing choices disrupt any sense of momentum. While some viewers praise the film’s nostalgic ambiance and heartfelt soundtrack, these elements do not fully compensate for underdeveloped character moments and a lack of dramatic focus. Ultimately, the film delivers occasional charm but remains uneven and largely inconsequential.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film offers strong production design with authentic 1960s sets and locations, but it is undermined by uneven camerawork and lackluster editing. Critics describe disjointed transitions that disrupt visual flow, while some viewers admire the period detail. Overall, the visual execution combines convincing period elements with technical inconsistency.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    Regarding character and emotion, the film presents earnest performances but struggles to build depth or chemistry between leads. Reviews mention skipped scenes that could have fleshed out motivations, resulting in underdeveloped relationships. While some viewers find the protagonists’ innocence engaging, the emotional stakes remain muted. Consequently, character dynamics feel limited and seldom resonate fully.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is characterized by meandering pacing and uneven plot focus. Critics note that pivotal moments lack development, while arbitrary transition shots interrupt coherence. The film dwells on trivial details and bypasses essential scenes that would support character decisions. As a result, the story feels disjointed and struggles to maintain engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film effectively evokes a 1960s ambiance through period-appropriate sets and a poignant closing song. Critics cite a made-for-television vibe from slow pacing and occasional melodrama, yet many viewers appreciate the heartfelt soundtrack moments. Overall, the audio-visual components create nostalgic atmosphere, despite uneven tonal execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    For rewatch value, the film offers intermittent nostalgic appeal but lacks sufficient substance to encourage repeat viewings. The authentic period details and moments of genuine emotional warmth hold some allure, though the uneven narrative flow and muted dramatic tension diminish lasting engagement. While viewers may revisit select scenes for atmosphere, the overall film offers limited replay incentive.

Plot

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Plot Summary

What happens in Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the summer of 1966, 15-year-old Liza embarks on a pivotal journey alongside her boyfriend, Brett. As they set off on a four-day road trip along the picturesque coast of California, the couple is acutely aware that Brett will soon leave for New York to live with his father, motivating them to make the most of their remaining time together, which includes a desire to lose their virginities to one another.

Full summary

The whole story of Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey.

Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
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  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Liza's age at the beginning of the film?

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FAQ

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey?

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey released?

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey was released on August 18, 2017.

Who directed Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey?

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey was directed by Terry Sanders.

More films by Terry Sanders

Who is in the cast of Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey?

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey stars Madison Iseman, Mikey Madison and Kristin Minter, among 15 credited actors.

How is Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey rated?

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey have a post-credit scene?

No. Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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