Watch Petunia
- NR
- 2013
- 1 hr 44 min
-
5.1 (816)
Petunia is a heartfelt indie drama that follows the tumultuous lives of the Petunia family, who are all united by their dysfunction and inability to communicate with one another. This 2012 film is directed by Ash Christian and features a cast of talented actors, including Tobias Segal, Thora Birch, and Christine Lahti. The Petunia family is led by matriarch Felicia (Lahti), a controlling woman who is used to getting her way. Her husband, Percy (David Rasche), is a renowned urologist who spends most of his time at work. The couple has three sons - Adrian (Segal), Michael (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Charlie (Jimmy Heck) - all of whom have their own set of issues.
Adrian is an artist who has been in a committed relationship with his boyfriend, Ryan (Michael Urie), for several years. Despite their love for one another, Adrian is unable to fully commit to Ryan and struggles with intimacy issues. Michael, the middle child, is a successful lawyer who is in the closet and dating a woman, Vivian (Brittany Snow), to appease his mother. Charlie, the youngest son, is a virgin and is trying to find his place in the world.
The film follows each of the Petunia sons as they navigate their way through their personal and professional lives. Adrian starts seeing a therapist, Dr. Bertleman (Christine Lahti), to help him work through his intimacy issues. Michael continues to hide his true self from his family and co-workers, but eventually comes out to Vivian. Charlie tries his hand at a variety of odd jobs, including working at a flower shop and bartending, before finding his true passion in life.
Throughout the film, there are a number of subplots and relationships that add depth to the story. For example, Felicia has a strained relationship with her own mother (Barbara Barrie), who is similarly controlling and difficult to please. Ryan, Adrian's boyfriend, struggles with his own insecurities and fears that Adrian will never be able to truly commit to him.
One of the standout performances in the film comes from Thora Birch, who plays George, Adrian's quirky and free-spirited neighbor. George is a bit of an oddball, but she forms a bond with Adrian and helps him break out of his shell.
Overall, Petunia is a well-crafted indie drama that explores themes of love, family, and self-discovery. The film's strong performances and relatable characters make it an emotional and engaging viewing experience. While the Petunia family may be dysfunctional, their struggles and triumphs are sure to resonate with audiences.
Petunia is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1 and a MetaScore of 40.