Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers
Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers

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Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers

1972
Movie
82 min
English

An aspiring actress from Kansas comes to New York and meets a host of zany characters.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: Frank SimonGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

A shy, 19-year-old virgin named Jonathan, who dreams of becoming a poet, navigates the complexities of love and sexuality in Greenwich Village during the early 1970s. He grapples with his attraction to both men and women, experiencing awkward encounters and forming tentative relationships. The film follows his journey of self-discovery as he seeks his place in the vibrant, yet often confusing, bohemian culture.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers' was noted for its frank portrayal of burgeoning sexuality and its depiction of the counterculture of the era. While it received some attention for its subject matter, it did not achieve widespread critical acclaim or commercial success, often being overshadowed by more prominent films of the time dealing with similar themes. Its reception was mixed, with some appreciating its honest exploration of youth and identity, while others found its narrative and execution lacking.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its candid depiction of adolescent sexual exploration and identity.

  • Noted as a time capsule of early 1970s Greenwich Village counterculture.

  • Criticized by some for its somewhat meandering narrative and uneven performances.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was an early example of independent cinema tackling LGBTQ+ themes with a degree of openness unusual for its time, though it was not widely distributed.

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