In Search of Gregory

I can only echo what the other reviewers have said of this curious film. I watched it to see one of my favorite stars, Julie Christie, in one of her most obscure films. It is very much a product of its time, rather like a third-rate imitation of Antonioni, but more light and whimsical, or should I say pointless and inconsequential? Its very hard to see what drove Christie to make this, other than I think I remember reading that she owed producer Joseph Janni a last film under a contract...maybe he needed a tax write-off? Oh well, if you feel nostalgic for the sixties its a lulling time-waster, with the always lovely Julie. I enjoyed the last scenes at the Geneva airport, whose look reminded me of something out of Jacques Tati's "Playtime". Plus, you get a look at Michael Sarrazin's butt, but not, unfortunately, Julie's.

I saw it as a teenager maybe 15 years ago. I've searched high and low for it ever since then. It was nowhere to be found, the forgotten film, if it had not been for Julie Christie in it.

She's absolutely stunningly gorgeous in this film with long brown hair and long slim legs. I wonder why she made it. She was a huge star then and this film isn't much, a little trifle of a movie. The story is so slight it leaves a lot of space for Julies beauty.

There's a nice pleasant Sunday atmosphere in the film. I remembered it as much more gloomy but it is more of a romantic comedy, although with a very slow pace. We don't learn much about these beautiful and rich people who are not completely spoiled and quite charming. What I remembered after the first time I saw it was how empty their lives are. You can't feel sorry for them, though.

I would like to thank the people who made this film and wonder what it felt when it just disappeared. I wish this film was more known and loved. Films like this don't get made anymore. I can see why it wasn't a hit since no one comes out happier, neither the characters nor the audience.

The script was by Tonino Guerra, the same man behind "Blow Up". This can explain the brilliant and poetic ending to the film, set at an empty airport, which made me always remember "In Search of Gregory", love it, and start my own search for it.

Well, I have always loved this movie. I saw it on TV as a youth in the early 70s. I ached to see it for decades afterward. I was thrilled when the Romance Channel played it a few years ago. I love the music in it. I wish they'd made a single of the theme song. I also like seeing the 60s European scenery. I originally saw it because I was a Michael Sarrazin fan. Because of it I came to be a fan of John Hurt. I've enjoyed watching John Hurt age and become a big star afterward. I also appreciate Julie Christie too. And I like Adolfo Celi! He just brightens up the whole thing. Don't be dissuaded from watching this. Check it out and form your own opinion.

Beautiful blue-eyed Julie Christie (as Catherine Morelli) flies to Geneva for the latest wedding of father Adolfo Celi (as Max), who pronounces himself healthy enough for ten wives. Papa promises Ms. Christie might meet her ideal man - tall, dark, and handsome Michael Sarrazin (as Gregory Mulvey). So, Christie goes "In Search of Gregory". First, she re-connects with brother John Hurt (as Dan). After Christie's bra and panties scene, she listens as Mr. Hurt relates how Mr. Sarrazin's "Gregory" gave him a driving lesson.

This hair-raising driving sequence features Sarrazin climbing out of the speeding car's passenger seat, climbing over the windscreen, and crawling back in to take over for frightened driver Hurt. You probably should NOT try this trick at home, but it's fun wonder how it might work… anyway, it occurs about 20 minutes in, and is the highlight of the movie. Unfortunately, after this exciting introduction, Sarrazin's "Gregory" is made lame, Hurt turns from scared to lost, and Christie simply models chic outfits until a slightly picked-up ending.

***** In Search of Gregory (11/69) Peter Wood ~ Julie Christie, Michael Sarrazin, John Hurt, Adolfo Celi

Julie Christie plays a single, uninhibited lass who travels from Rome to Geneva for the sixth wedding of her wealthy father, who has promised she will meet a dashing, unattached American named Gregory at the ceremony. Trivial vehicle for then-hot property Christie seems to be about romantic delusion and disappointment, but it never gets out of first gear. Christie's flirtatious relationship with her brother (a very green John Hurt) is certainly curious--he appears to be both homosexual and housebound--but Michael Sarrazin is less enigmatic as he is misplaced in this wispy world of lost lovers. Director Peter Wood has an eye for character detail, but no filmmaker could do much with Tonino Guerra and Lucile Laks' exceptionally mild screenplay. *1/2 from ****