Petulia (1968)

91% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(808 ratings)

Petulia is Richard Lester's ode to the Swinging Sixties: a time of psychedelic instability when neither those who were square, nor those who were hip, really had it right. George C. Scott is Archie Bollen, a divorced San Francisco doctor in the midst of "discovering himself." Julie Christie is… More Petulia is Richard Lester's ode to the Swinging Sixties: a time of psychedelic instability when neither those who were square, nor those who were hip, really had it right. George C. Scott is Archie Bollen, a divorced San Francisco doctor in the midst of "discovering himself." Julie Christie is Petulia Danner, a peculiar young beauty recently married into an established family. Archie's sterile apartment and detached, bemused manner exemplify his inability to emote. Petulia's forward nature and desperate tenderness betray her fear of her sullen, abusive, pretty-boy husband (Richard Chamberlain). The physician and the newlywed embark on a schizophrenic love affair amid Pepsi references, automated motels, roller derbies, and a cameo by Big Brother and the Holding Company -- but they never achieve the daring to truly change their lives. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Richard Lester
Written By: Larry Marcus, Barbara Turner
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 10, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Jun 20, 2006

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne, Film.com
...an anti-The Graduate ... an essential film from and about America in the dying days of the '60s, yet the modernism of its style and ambitions makes Petulia impressively ahead of that time.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Jack-rabbiting technique embodies foreboding and dissonance rather than gimmicky whimsy
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Innovative in narrative and style, Lester's dissection of mores and manners through marriages and affairs captures vividly the zeitgeist of the Summer of Love and the violent Vietnam War with brilliant turns from Julie Christie and George C. Scott.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Julie Christie in her Oscar role + Richard Lester direction. Enough said.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Petulia lives on with its vague curiosity and a genuine emotional sting.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Curious one-shot US film in the midst of Lester's British period
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
I thought this film was more claptrap than anything else.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I don't remember this movie well, but I can tell you that the summary on here is totally wrong. Look it up on imdb, that's the real summary. Anyway, this is another one of those love and divorce and affair related movies. Pretty average, from what I remember.
jay n

VERY 60's! Episodic and stream of conciousness. The clothes are great and Julie is luminous.
Doctor S

Sometimes you really don't know what to say about a movie other than "that was one of the goofiest exercises in cinema I have seen in a long time." The main story is constantly intercut with short clips of future, past, or random events, incongruous moments and locales… More
Sometimes you really don't know what to say about a movie other than "that was one of the goofiest exercises in cinema I have seen in a long time." The main story is constantly intercut with short clips of future, past, or random events, incongruous moments and locales pop up just to make you scratch your head, all the while involving you in a melodramatic-romantic-comedic-mystery! Reminiscent of Bunuel infused with a swinging '60s sensibility, would not be out of place as an aperitif during a David Lynch film festival either. Throw in some fantastic masterful camerawork by Nicolas Roeg and you've got an experience you won't soon forget, or sort out.

Cast

            Julie Christie as Petulia

            George C. Scott as Archie

            Richard Chamberlain as David

            Arthur Hill as Barney

            Shirley Knight as Polo

            Pippa Scott as May

            Kathleen Widdoes as Wilma

            Joseph Cotten as Mr. Danner

            The ATC Company
            
            Rene Auberjonois as Salesman

            Peter Albin as Band Member

            Big Brother & the Holding Company
            
            Roger Bowen as Warren

            Ace Trucking Co.
            
            Barbara Colby as Patient

            The Committee
            
            Richard Dysart as Motel Receptionist

            Nate Esformes as Mr. Mendoza

            Ellen Geer as Nun

            Lou Gilbert as Mr. Howard

            The Grateful Dead
            
            Ruth Kobart as Nun

            DeAnn Mears as Nurse

            Austin Pendleton as Intern

            Maria Val as Mrs. Mendoza

            Josephine Nichols as Neighbor
See full cast

Petulia (1968)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

jay n

Doctor S

Cast