PETE 'N' TILLIE
US, 1972, 100 minutes, Colour.
Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Page, Barry Nelson, Rene Auberjonois.
Directed by Martin Ritt.
Pete 'N’ Tillie is something of a change of pace for director Martin Ritt, who has been particularly successful with dramas with social implications, including A Man is Ten Feet Tall; Hud ; Spy Who Cam in From the Cold; Hombre; The Molly Maguires; Sounder (which received Oscar nominations in 1972). Here he tries his hand with comedy. Some of it, especially in the first half is very witty and funny. Later it becomes broader, but, in the meantime, the film has moved from comedy to human drama where Ritt is best.
The film is a rather wry look at a somewhat unlikely marriage, its ups and downs and the effect on the lives of Pete and Tillie. As such, it is worth seeing and offers thoughtful entertainment as well. Walter Matthau excels at this kind of performance. Carol Burnett, in one of her few films, acts well and convincingly. Geraldine Page, always a striking actress, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
1. The significance of the title, and the names of the persons concerned?
2. Was this a successful comedy film reflecting the 60s and 70s in the U.S.? Was it a significant film with a message? How did the director move the film from comedy to serious considerations? What techniques did he use?
3. Comment on the creation of atmosphere at the initial party, the matchmaking, the dating of Pete and Tillie, honeymoon and then the marriage. How did this engage audience interest and response?
4. Trace the development of the character and personality of Tillie to illustrate the themes of the film. A middle-aged woman, marriage, adultery of her husband, death of her son, loneliness, reconciliation. How well did Carol Burnett portray Tillie?
5. Trace the character of Pete - as a salesman, ideas, middle-aged man, marriage, infidelity, loneliness, as a type with wry comments. What did Walter Matthau add to the portrayal of Pete?
6. How well did the film explore the reality of relationships, successes and failures? The need for self-sacrifice and
depth?
7. What insights into the reality of marriage did the film give through Pete and Tillie and their son? The echo of Gertrude and her husband? The interior decorator?
8. Gertrude as a character and her importance in the film? As merely comic relief, social satire? Satire on the typical woman, her contrast with Tillie, her foibles? The fight with Tillie at the end?
9. The interior decorator - his purpose in the film, comedy, genuine feeling for Tillie? Importance of the sequence where he decides to propose? Bow moving was this?
10. What insights into human nature and behaviour did the film give? e.g. in the character of Tillie: Tillie in herself, as a person, response to Pete, her not being overwhelmed but interested? Allowing herself to be interested, allowing herself to be persuaded by Gertrude. The lovemaking: the reasons for her entering this affair - what was she seeking? Did she know the truth of the matter and Pete's character? The incident with the bobby-pin? Her wanting to marry Pete and the marriage itself? How happy was the marriage? What did the marriage do for her, how did it change her? The joy of the son? The reality of Pete carrying on with the secretaries: The importance of the sequence when Tillie confronts the secretary? The sorrow of the illness of her son, his death? The impact of the blasphemy sequence - was it marred by her immediate repentance? Her refusal to commit adultery with Gertrude's husband? Her loneliness, the separation from Pete, her life in the institution, the proposal from her friend; the fight with Gertrude, the means of reconciliation with Pete? How had she changed during the film? For the better? Could she face love at the end of the film?
