Petulia Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kooky socialite decides to fix her terrible marriage by aggressively pursuing a recently divorced doctor, leading to psychedelic visuals and very little actual sense.

🍿 Petulia: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting Petulia: A Divorce in San Francisco

Dr. Archie Bollen, a recently divorced surgeon in San Francisco, navigates his new life, including strained interactions with his ex-wife Polo and his sons. His routine is disrupted at a hospital fundraiser when he is aggressively approached by Petulia Danner, a young, eccentric socialite. Petulia, married for only six months to a wealthy naval engineer named David, impulsively declares her intention to have an affair with Archie and even suggests they will marry someday. Their initial encounters are marked by her erratic behavior and his bewildered but intrigued response. Archie only knows her previously as the woman who brought a severely injured Mexican boy, Oliver, to the hospital, a seemingly unrelated incident that hints at deeper circumstances.

The Unconventional Affair and Unfolding Realities

Despite Archie’s initial reluctance and his attempts to date other women, Petulia’s persistence and enigmatic charm draw him in. Their relationship develops in a fragmented, non-linear style, interspersing their encounters with glimpses into Petulia’s life and background, as well as Archie’s past. The film uses quick cuts and flashbacks to reveal details about Petulia’s troubled marriage to David and his controlling nature. Archie begins to understand that Petulia’s seemingly kooky demeanor may be a mask for deeper distress and vulnerability.

The Truth Behind Petulia’s Behavior

The seemingly carefree affair takes a dark turn when Archie discovers Petulia unconscious and severely beaten in his apartment. This incident reveals the brutal reality of her marriage to David, who is revealed to be violently abusive. Archie is confronted with the severity of Petulia’s situation and the dangerous environment she inhabits within her affluent world, particularly influenced by David’s wealthy and controlling father.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Petulia (Julie Christie): A charmingly kooky and unhappily married socialite who relentlessly pursues a recently divorced doctor while coping with her abusive husband.
• Archie (George C. Scott): A melancholy, recently divorced doctor whose quiet life is disrupted when he is pursued by the impulsive and troubled Petulia.
• David (Richard Chamberlain): Petulia’s wealthy and violently abusive husband whose controlling nature contributes to her desperation.
• Polo (Shirley Knight): Archie’s soon-to-be-divorced wife grappling with the end of her marriage and her ex-husband’s new relationships.
• Mr. Howard (Lou Gilbert): David’s wealthy and influential father who seeks to protect his family’s reputation despite his son’s volatile behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Archie Bollen: “Oh, Petulia. I just wanted… I just wanted to make you happy.” – Said sincerely to Petulia during a moment of vulnerable connection, highlighting his simple desire amidst their complex, troubled lives.
• Petulia Danner: “I don’t know. I’m so disconnected. Are you ever disconnected?” – A poignant question Petulia asks Archie, revealing her profound sense of alienation and searching for shared feeling.
• Archie Bollen: “I don’t think I was ever connected.” – Archie’s melancholic reply to Petulia’s question about disconnection, reflecting his own long-standing emotional detachment.
• Archie Bollen: “Everything’s funny in slow motion.” – A line delivered with weary cynicism, characteristic of Archie’s perspective on life and the absurdities he observes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,910,619
• Worldwide Gross: $4,286,303

💥 Petulia Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Petulia’ is *weird*. Like, really weird. I went in expecting a straightforward drama based on the summary, but what I got was a total trip through 1968 San Francisco, sliced and diced into a million pieces. The editing is insane! It jumps around in time so much, showing you things that haven’t even happened yet, then cutting back to a random scene. It really messes with your head but in a way that somehow makes sense for the characters, who are just as lost and disconnected. George C. Scott and Julie Christie are fantastic, even if their characters are kind of… challenging. Petulia is a walking paradox, and Archie is just trying to survive the chaos she brings. The parts with Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead are amazing little time capsules, totally unexpected and adding to that surreal vibe. It’s not an easy watch, and sometimes I felt lost or even annoyed, but honestly, the feeling and the images stuck with me long after the credits rolled. It’s definitely a film that makes you *feel* something, even if you can’t always explain *why*.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1960s cinema and culture”
  • “Viewers interested in experimental or non-linear storytelling”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven psychological dramas”
  • “Fans of George C. Scott or Julie Christie”
  • “Students of film editing and cinematography”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Domestic violence / Spousal abuse”
  • “Mature themes (adultery, alienation, psychological distress)”
  • “Non-linear narrative style may be challenging for some viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Based on User Reviews: “”Petulia” is a stunning cinematic achievement that captures the turbulent spirit of the late 60s through fragmented editing and Nicholas Roeg’s beautiful cinematography. While the non-linear structure can be challenging initially, it powerfully reflects the characters’ emotional chaos. Scott and Christie deliver nuanced performances in this underrated psychological drama set against a vibrant San Francisco backdrop.
• Based on User Reviews: “Despite strong performances from George C. Scott and Julie Christie, “Petulia” gets lost in its own self-conscious artsiness. The choppy editing and disjointed narrative feel more like a forced attempt at ‘hip’ filmmaking than a genuinely insightful look at troubled relationships. While the San Francisco setting and era details are interesting, the lack of emotional connection makes it a frustrating, pretentious watch.
• Based on User Reviews: “Richard Lester’s “Petulia” is a fascinating time capsule of 1968 San Francisco, exploring alienation and fractured lives with a unique stylistic flair. The film’s fragmented structure, while sometimes jarring, effectively mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil. The cast is excellent, particularly Shirley Knight in a memorable supporting role. It’s a thought-provoking, albeit often bleak, look at flawed people searching for meaning.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were captivated by the film’s experimental editing style and its portrait of 1960s San Francisco.: The performances, particularly by Julie Christie and George C. Scott, and the film’s unique visual style and soundtrack references (Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead) are frequently highlighted.

The film’s unflinching look at darker themes like domestic abuse resonated deeply with some, despite the abstract presentation.: The movie is often praised for being ‘ahead of its time’ in its narrative structure and for capturing a specific, tumultuous era.

Overall Consensus: A divisive but critically appreciated psychological drama praised for its innovative editing, strong performances, and vivid portrayal of 1960s San Francisco, though some viewers found its non-linear structure and bleak tone frustrating.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Richard Lester employed a highly fragmented, non-linear narrative structure and rapid editing, influenced by French New Wave cinema and his own experience with the Beatles’ films, to reflect the fractured psychology of the characters and the chaotic era.”
• “The film was shot on location in San Francisco during the peak of the counter-culture movement, incorporating real events like a roller derby match and scenes filmed at Candlestick Park and the city’s bustling streets, lending it a strong sense of time and place.”
• “Janis Joplin makes a brief cameo appearance performing ‘Ball ‘n’ Chain’ with Big Brother and the Holding Company at a fundraising gala, adding to the film’s authentic San Francisco 1968 atmosphere.”
• “Julie Christie’s performance was praised, but she reportedly found the non-linear filming and editing disorienting, sometimes not fully understanding the emotional arc of a scene while shooting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Petulia?

As a classic film from 1968, ‘Petulia’ may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services. It is typically available for digital purchase or rental through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other online movie retailers. Check these services for the most current viewing options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Petulia, you might like these similar films:

• Blow-Up (1966): Features a similar exploration of detachment and searching for meaning in a rapidly changing, visually rich urban environment, employing modernist filmmaking techniques.
• Easy Rider (1969): Captures the spirit and anxieties of the late 1960s counter-culture, focusing on characters adrift in America, much like ‘Petulia’ grounds its psychological drama in the San Francisco scene.
• Five Easy Pieces (1970): A character study of a man searching for identity and belonging while navigating complex relationships, sharing the thematic focus on alienation and dissatisfaction present in ‘Petulia’.
• A Woman Under the Influence (1974): Though stylistically different (Mamet’s raw naturalism), it similarly delves into the psychological breakdown of a woman within a troubled marriage and her desperate search for connection.
• Lost in Translation (2003): Focuses on two disconnected individuals finding solace and a brief, poignant connection amidst the alienation of a foreign environment, echoing the central relationship dynamic of ‘Petulia’.

🛒 Petulia Related Products

• Petulia (The Criterion Collection): Experience Richard Lester’s daring 1968 film in a stunning new digital restoration, approved by the director. Includes interviews with cast and crew, and an essay exploring the film’s innovative style.
• Petulia Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The evocative score by John Barry, capturing the film’s blend of melancholy and period flair. Includes the iconic main theme.
• Petulia (1968) Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster, featuring the film’s distinctive artwork and iconic stars.
• San Francisco in the 1960s: The Counterculture and the City: Explore the historical context of ‘Petulia’ with a book detailing the vibrant cultural scene, social changes, and atmosphere of San Francisco during the era the film is set and made.

🎧 Soundtrack

Petulia features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title – Petulia” – performed by John Barry And His Orchestra
• “Road Block (Performed in film)” – performed by Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin
• “Down On Me (Performed in film)” – performed by Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin
• “Jam Session (Performed in film)” – performed by Grateful Dead

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Limey: Crash Course Film Criticism #10

Ever wonder what makes ‘The Limey’ tick? This Crash Course video breaks down Soderbergh’s unique style and why this movie is a cool example of it – I thought it really highlighted the clever editing and structure!

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