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"BEING THERE"
Film Synopsis:
BEING THERE, subtitled "a story of chance," is a provocative black comedy -- a wonderful tale that satirizes politics, celebrity, media-obsession and television. The subtle film's slogan proclaimed: "Getting there is half the fun. Being there is all of it."
The film was directed by director Hal Ashby (already known for Harold and Maude (1971), The Last Detail (1973), Shampoo (1975), Bound for Glory (1976), and the acclaimed Vietnam war film Coming Home (1978)). The politically-satirical film about mistaken identity and the television age was adapted from a 1971 novel by Jerzy Kosinski, with Sellers in a chameleon-like role in his second-to-last film. His role is a forerunner to the mentally-challenged Tom Hanks character in Forrest Gump (1994).
The film had two Academy Awards nominations, including Best Actor for Sellers (his second and last unsuccessful bid - he lost to Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)) for his superb understated performance, and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Melvyn Douglas (his third and last career nomination and second Best Supporting Actor win that defeated Robert Duvall's nomination for Apocalypse Now (1979), among others).
Starring:
Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart
Running Time: 130 min.
Year: 1979 |
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Reviews:
"Satire is a threatened species in American film, and when it does occur, it's usually broad and slapstick, as in the Mel Brooks films. Being There , directed by Hal Ashby, is a rare and subtle bird that finds its tone and stays with it. .” --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"Hal Ashby directs Being There at an unruffled, elegant pace, the better to let Mr. Sellers's double-edged mannerisms make their full impression upon the audience ." --Janet Maslin, The New York Times
"This is the movie that I always ask people if they have seen when I discover that they are a movie buff. What I liked most was the premise of the movie: Could a person of low intelligence ascend to the heights of political power in the U.S.? YOU BETCHA!!! Peter Sellers gives us the answer with his portrayal of Chauncey Gardner in this film that has already stood the test of time. Melvyn Douglas got an academy award for his part as the political kingmaker." --Some dude on Netflix
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