WFG RATING: A

Vision Films presents a Studio G Productions film. Written, edited, and directed by Terry Sanders. Produced by Steven Chau, Ann Dickinson, Richard Purington, and Terry Sanders. Cinematography by Erik Daarstad.

Stars Mikey Madison, Sean H. Scully, Kristen Minter, Kwame Boateng, and John-Paul Lavoisier. 

With her Oscar winning performance in Anora, the film debut of Mikey Madison has been re-released in a director’s cut, just showing why she deserved said Oscar. 

It is the year 1966. The Vietnam War is beginning and it is the beginning of the Sexual Revolution. Liza is a 15-year-old teenager who is gearing up to spend one last summer with the love of her life, 16-year-old Brett as he is moving to the other side of the United States. However, her overbearing and at times obsessive mother, constantly tries to set Liza up on dates despite her love for Brett.

When summer finally comes, Brett and Liza decide to go for a ride along the California coast. They also come to the life-changing decision to lose their virginities to each other. As they trek the coast, they meet a group of eccentric characters. They include a rough and tough redneck gang on the beach, a group of hippies who love to get high and party, and a wild and crazy hotel manager who nearly holds them hostage after they check into one of his rooms. Despite their misgivings, Liza and Brett plan to make the most of their last summer together. 

Earlier this year, Mikey Madison, more or less, shocked the world when she bested the favorite, Demi Moore, to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her performance in Sean Baker’s Anora. To think an actress of this caliber has been in the game for just a decade. This would lead to director Terry Sanders re-releasing Madison’s very first film and it is clear seeing this, why she is deserving of her award this year. 

Madison shines as the titular Liza. Even though she is 15 year old, she finds herself coming of age fast with most of the film set during the summer of 1966. The film is a life-changing journey for not just her but her boyfriend Brett, played by a very good Sean H. Scully. They have such great chemistry going through life’s ups and downs while trekking the coast. We see how tough Brett can be, especially when he protects Liza from a group of goons on the beach and his going off on a hotel manager who interrupts their duo’s potential deflowering. 

The film will make you want to root for Liza and Brett to overcome their obstacles. Especially because with the exception of a woman who helps them on the beach stop the goons in a “rematch”, most of the other supporting characters show a negative light. Especially Liza’s mother, played by Kristen Minter. She comes off as dominant and trying to meddle in her love life, setting her up with sons of her friends. In other words, she attempts to make Liza a carbon copy of her and when she rebels, Liza gets the brunt of it. The opening of the third act shows this and Liza finally having had enough to stand up to her. 

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey is a great debut vehicle for Mikey Madison. Those impressed with her performance in Anora will definitely want to see this film to see where she began and why she is that great of a performer.