Getting Straight

This 1970 American satirical romantic comedy-drama directed by Richard Rush follows Harry Bailey (Elliott Gould), a Vietnam War veteran and former student activist who returns to college to earn his master's degree and become an English teacher. Attempting to distance himself from political unrest, Harry finds himself amidst escalating student protests led by his girlfriend Jan (Candice Bergen). As tensions rise on campus, including clashes with police, Harry is drawn into the conflict between his desire to conform and his sympathy for the protesting students. The climax occurs during his oral dissertation defense, where absurd questioning leads to an emotional outburst and a reevaluation of his beliefs. The film explores themes of personal and social identity, generational conflict, and the search for meaning during times of change. The cast also includes Robert F. Lyons, Jeff Corey, Max Julien, Cecil Kellaway, Jon Lormer, Leonard Stone, William Bramley, Jeannie Berlin, John Rubinstein, Richard Anders, Brenda Sykes, Jenny Sullivan, Gregory Sierra, Billie Bird, Harrison Ford, Elizabeth Lane, Hilarie Thompson, Irene Tedrow, Joanna Serpe, and Scott Perry.