Set during the swinging sixties in San Francisco, Richard Lester's landmark romantic drama tells of the charmingly kooky socialite Petulia (Julie Christie), who has been recently married to David (Richard Chamberlain). Unhappy with her marriage, she embarks on a love affair with a melancholy recently-divorced doctor (George C. Scott) as they try to make sense of their dispassionate lives.
Through Nicolas Roeg's cinematography, the non-linear, fragmented love story loops back and forth and the dark reality emerges from the idyllic façade of sixties opulence. As the story of Petulia's abuse at the hands of her husband unfolds, the lovers try to find the courage to change the course of their lives in the face of their respective demons.
Described by director Lester as "a very real film about two people trying to get through to each other," the film prompted this fascinating comment from Roger Ebert: "Richard Lester's Petulia made me desperately unhappy, and yet I am unable to find a single thing wrong with it. I suppose that is high praise. It is the coldest, cruellest film I can remember, and one of the most intellectual."
Petulia has been announced for a UK DVD release on 27th April 2009 by Digital Classics at the RRP of £14.99. No news of aspect ratio or extras as yet. |