Dr. Archie Bollen is having a midlife crisis. He's just divorced his wife and is establishing a new life for himself. One night, he catches the eye of Petulia Danner, a charming, free-spirited young woman. Petulia's vibrant personality hides her fear of her abusive husband, David, whose father is a powerful society figure. As Petulia and Archie's feelings for each other grow, they must decide what it is they truly want.
Direction
Lester's fractured, flash-forward editing predicts 90s MTV.
Acting
Christie's physicality—every gesture screams hidden damage.
Cinematography
San Francisco never looked this candy-colored and cruel.
Director
Richard Lester
Julie Christie
Petulia Danner
George C. Scott
Dr. Archie Bollen
Richard Chamberlain
Dave Danner
Arthur Hill
Barney
Shirley Knight
Polo
Pippa Scott
May
Kathleen Widdoes
Wilma
Richard Dysart
Motel Receptionist
Ruth Kobart
Nun
Roger Bowen
Warren
Joseph Cotten
Mr. Danner
Austin Pendleton
Intern (uncredited)
Ellen Geer
Nun
Howard Hesseman
Hippie (uncredited)
Janis Joplin
Herself (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lester shot this between 'Help!' and 'The Bed Sitting Room,' explaining the Beatles-adjacent visual chaos.
The film was marketed as a groovy romance; audiences were furious to find an abuse tragedy. It bombed.
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