MovieChat Forums > Petulia (1968) Discussion > Hard to believe this classic film is so ...

Hard to believe this classic film is so low-rated

posted 15 years ago by jonchopwood
4 replies | jump to latest

Even more surprising, is the lack of discussion. This is an adult film about adults. Is that why it is so ignored? (If it was European, it would be better regarded, I guess.)

When one thinks about films, like Sam Peckinpah's ouvre (and I love Sam), you're dealing with an adolescent mentality, and I guess film is an adolescent medium. Not for adults.

The sadness and resignation of life as it is lived is right here, as it is in all first rate art.

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"Why do people always laugh in the wrong places?"
-- Leopold Bloom

[–] Brennan-8 15 years ago

I'm going to get kicked for this, but I thought the characters were unsympathetic. Basically, they were wealthy, miserable people. Who cares about rich folks and their problems? Petulia was an empty shell pretty much; the character is wildly inconsistent, whether due to mental illness or poor writing.

The film was gorgeous though. Ahh, California in the late 60's - must have been a paradise.

[–] KingVidor 15 years ago

"Ahh, California in the late 60's - must have been a paradise."

It was. Now, unfortunately, it's a s hithole.

Ask me about my total lack of interest.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jason_Radley 13 years ago

I can't speak about this film because I couldn't bear watching it after the first two minutes, the visual style was so unappealing. But your description makes me feel it's a bit like Christie's earlier film, Darling.