Alan Alda wrote, directed, and starred in this satirical film about the corruption of the film industry's approach to history. Alda plays Michael Burgess, a college professor who has written a historical novel about the American Revolution. The book has been turned into a script, and a Hollywood film crew descends on his North Carolina hometown to make the movie. Predictably, the director and actors make a mess of his concept, and Burgess becomes frustrated as the town is turned upside down. Desperately, he tries to salvage his concept with some last-minute script changes. To make things more complicated, Burgess falls in love with the glamorous female lead in the film, Faith Healy (
Michelle Pfeiffer). Meanwhile, his long-time girlfriend, Gretchen (
Lise Hilboldt) is pressuring him to get married. The film's male star, Elliott James (
Michael Caine), finally shows up in town and becomes Burgess's rival for Faith's affections. Silent film star
Lillian Gish appears as Burgess's smother. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide