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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 10 page paper discusses Richard Lester's 1968 film "Petulia," and how it explains his view of American culture at that time. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVLesPet.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
This paper discusses the film and how Lester uses it to examine a specific time in American history. Discussion Petulia is set in San Francisco in 1968; not only in
San Francisco, but in a specific neighborhood, the Haight-Ashbury district. Haight-Ashbury was the center of what is generally referred to as the "counterculture" of the 60s. This was the place
where "hippies" thrived, embraced the ideas of free love and questioning the establishment, smoked pot and did other drugs, and protested the Vietnam War. The 1960s are a legendary decade
now, because they were a time of tremendous hope as well as horrible anxiety. The nation had elected a young, charismatic president, John F. Kennedy, and people believed that it
was possible for ordinary citizens to make a difference. JFK made audacious demands, such as putting a man on the Moon that encouraged Americans to take up the challenge and
become involved. He said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," and Americans responded. But the 1960s were also a
time of tremendous social protest. The Vietnam War was dividing the nation and protests were increasing. San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury was a center for protest as well as for the hippie
counterculture. Thus, by setting his film there (he filmed most of it on location), Lester was tapping into the one spot in the country that exemplified this decade more than
any other. In brief, the film is about two unhappy marriages: Archie Bollen (George C. Scott) is in the final stages of getting a divorce from his wife Polo,
played by Shirley Knight; and Petulia Danner (Julie Christie) is married to an abusive husband, David, played by Richard Chamberlain in a role thats definitely cast against type. Scotts character
...