Psych-Out (1968)

In the vibrant heart of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, Jenny Davis, a deaf, straight-laced runaway, emerges from the shadows. She's on a quest to find her elusive brother, Steve, an artist known locally as 'The Seeker'. Equipped only with a cryptic note from him and a last known address, she must navigate her way through an unfamiliar world, evading the police who are hot on her trail, intent on sending her back to the life she fled. Into her life tumble Stoney, Ben, and Elwood, a trio of free-spirited hippies who together form the psychedelic band, Mumblin' Jim. Living in a Victorian house, bursting at the seams with love beads, necking couples, and the pulsating rhythm of counterculture, they welcome Jenny into their unconventional family. Stoney, in particular, forms a unique bond with Jenny, introducing her to the concept of free love, a lifestyle that prioritizes no commitment to any one woman. As Jenny delves deeper into this kaleidoscopic world, she must confront the harsh realities of the counterculture lifestyle - the hostility towards hippies, the dizzying array of psychedelic drugs, and the choice of unemployment that often leads to doing without what society deems necessary. Simultaneously, this very lifestyle creates a rift between Stoney and the band's ex-member, Dave. Dave, attracted to Jenny and disillusioned with the band's chase for success, labels it as 'playing games'. Yet, despite his reservations, he agrees to aid Jenny on her quest, adding another layer to the intricate tapestry of their interconnected lives. In the end, Psych-Out paints a vivid portrait of the 1960s San Francisco, weaving a tale of innocence lost, unlikely friendships, and the relentless pursuit of one's own truth in the face of societal expectations. Will Jenny find her lost brother amid the chaos, or will she lose herself in the process?

Psych-Out is a drama movie featuring Susan Strasberg and directed by Richard Rush.

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