Petulia, based on the novel by John Haase - 8 out of 10

Petulia, based on the novel by John Haase
8 out of 10


You can find Petulia on The New York Times' Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list.

But it seems to be the kind of film that would not appeal to every taste.
For it is dating, creative, original, outre, but also hard to follow, interrupted, experimental and it may prompt disengagement.

It did for the undersigned.

Julie Christie is one of the splendid, few artists capable of taking complex, difficult, overwhelming roles like that of Petulia Danner.
Who is married to David Danner aka the once popular Richard Chamberlain.

David is an abusive husband.
Furthermore, he lacks a minimum of self control.

He beats his spouse so severely that she needs to be hospitalized.
When they would be left alone on a boat, aware of his violence, he says he would not  be so loathsome again, but if he becomes a lunatic,he gives Petulia a gun, so that she would be able to use it against himself.

This harassed, disturbed woman seems to think she may find solace, protection, a better man in Doctor Archie Bollen aka the iconic George C. Scott.
He is a divorced man, reluctant to respond to the allure of the attractive, yet mysterious, strange Petulia.

The relationship is complicated by what seems to be a serious gap between the two very different personalities.
While the doctor seems to be a conservative, grave, stable individual, his would be partner appears to have liberal  views, as an unstable, provocative, rebellious character.