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Petulia

Name: Petulia
Director: Richard Lester
Released: 1968
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1968

Director

Richard Lester

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Petulia stands as a transitional work that prioritizes character's ability to drive the story and subjective experience over traditional social hierarchies. It succeeds in subverting traditional gender roles and domestic expectations by centering Petulia's emotional autonomy. However, the film lacks diversity in representation, focusing primarily on a white, middle-class urban setting. It also fails to include characters with disabilities or LGBTQ+ identities. Ultimately, the film's progressive nature lies in its refusal of moral certainty, despite being limited by the era's cinematic constraints regarding race and identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Petulia have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The story focuses on heterosexual relationships and lacks explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or critiques of heterosexism. It does not challenge straight-centered assumptions.

How does Petulia portray gender?

Good

Petulia serves as the primary driver of the film's psychological inquiry rather than a passive object. The narrative successfully passes the Bechdel test.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Petulia?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white and middle-to-upper-middle-class. The film does not engage with racial diversity or diverse backgrounds.

How does Petulia represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores postmodern moral relativism and urban malaise. It rejects traditional domesticity and singular morality in favor of individual existential truth.

Does Petulia include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no significant depictions of visible or invisible disabilities. The focus remains on the psychological states of able-bodied protagonists.

Present on Screen

Petulia possesses significant emotional ability to act and drives the film's psychological inquiry.
The narrative subverts traditional gender roles and domestic expectations.
The film embraces a postmodern worldview that rejects singular moral resolutions.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
There is a notable absence of racial and ethnic diversity within the cast.
The story provides no significant depictions of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

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.

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