Being There
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Movie Reviews of Being There
Movie Review: "...a state of mind"
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing movie, one that works on many levels.The story: a simple-minded gardener named Chauncy (Sellers) is turned out into the world after his master dies. This particular gardener, however, has never ventured outside the four walls of the estate and only knows the world through what he sees on TV.
What follows is a series of serendipitous adventures reminiscent of Forrest Gump. Chauncy sees the world in a child-like way, greets everyone with a smile and unknowingly speaks in gardening metaphors that are interpreted as high wisdom -- even by the President of the United States.
This is Sellers' finest role, revealing more depth and skill than any other role of his I can think of.
Although the movie seems long at times (a few scenes could have been cut to give it a quicker pace), it unfolds in a most endearing way.
The ending of this movie is one you'll never, ever forget. I can still hear the voiceover ("Life...is a state of mind") underscoring Chauncy's stroll to the pond. I love watching the faces of people who see that scene for the first time.
I've seen this movie a dozen times and find something new in it each time. I'm glad it's finally out on DVD, although I would have preferred a widescreen format.
Despite an occasional slowness of pace, and the lack of a widescreen version, I highly recommend this movie. You may not look at the world in the same way again after seeing it.
Movie Review: I'm so pleased I was...and could be again
Summary: 5 Stars
This is both a political satire and a contemporary fable such as Hans Christian Andersen might have written had he lived in the 1970s. It shares much in common with "The Emperor's New Clothes" (1837), except there is no Honest Boy to point out that Chauncy Gardner is not whom he is assumed to be. Actually, Jerzy Kosinski wrote the novel on which this film is based and it was skillfully directed by Hal Ashby. The acting throughout the cast is outstanding. Douglas received an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role, Sellers a nomination for best actor in a leading role. MacLaine is also terrific. Obviously, Eve is devoted to her husband as well as very fond of him but starved for attention and affection when Chauncy appears in her life. She is attracted to him just as everyone else is. (I have already noted that this is a fable.) I should point out, now, that at no time and in no way does Chauncy consciously and deliberately attempt to deceive anyone. Yes, he really is THAT dim. If contrasted with him, Forrest Gump would seem like Gore Vidal. Credit Ashby and Sellers for establishing and then sustaining precisely the right tone. The satire has an edge throughout the film but is nicely balanced with gentle humor and tender moments. As someone immortal once said, "All's well that ends well." Indeed, I cannot imagine a more appropriate final scene for Being There.Movie Review: Entertaining with a hidden message.
Summary: 5 Stars
A brilliant acting job by Peter Sellers. His control is amazing, and the final credit outtakes show how difficult it was for him to keep a straight face.The film is an indictment on how people believe only what they want to hear, how we all behave like sheep and jump on bandwagons and mindlessly follow trends. The film is a harsh comment on the overwhelming power of TV in our lives, especially politics. (Chauncey is certainly mesmerized by TV). We can make heroes out of idiots! Are we all fools, duped into following certain people because they arrive at the right time when we are feeling particularly empty?
The ending is very controversial. Possibly, a very subtle attack on religion and its leaders. It took many days to sink in...reading the book to gain more insight. Then I read an interview by the author (who played a bit role as a Russian revolutionary in REDS.) What famous person in history walked on water? Is the author saying that Chauncey Gardner is analogous to Christ, or any religious leader? Is he saying Christ was an idiot and people were ripe to follow?
Politics and controversy aside, it is a brilliant performance by Sellers. One scene in particular stands out, when Chauncey, set out on the streets for the first time, defends himself with a remote control! Priceless, just priceless!
Movie Review: Learning More About Being There
Summary: 5 Stars
Another reviewer wrote, "The lesson to be learned is that nothing is as it seems. We all need to listen to our own voices and not become part of the gaggle that follows and believes everything said by our celebrities and politicians. Peter Sellers died soon after this role and never lived to reap the rewards of this stellar performance." Great insight! But...
Well, it depends on your viewpoint. The recent "Life and Death of Peter Sellers" HBO film puts another depth to it: that Sellers was fascinated by the Chauncey Gardener character because it represented his own father. If you loved this movie (as I do), you will love Rush's depiction of this dimension.
In light of the raucous, gaudy and chaotic life that Sellers led, the place of quiet simplicity he explores in this film is all the more extraordinary and beautiful. Yes, he invites us to laugh at Chauncey and, derivatively, his own father and himself personally. But ultimately we are called to laugh at ourselves, at our shallowness and vanity.
I don't know of any other movie that approaches the special qualities displayed in "Being There." Sellers achieved this one dream in his life, and maybe it doesn't get any better than that.
Movie Review: Wonderful Satirical Postmodern Fairy Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Being There does not have three dramatic acts, no real drama, no real climax, so if you're looking for a traditional story structure, you won't find one here. Instead, what you'll find is an elaborate, satirical, postmodern fairy tale that operates under the following premise: The kind, naive, half-wit played by Peter Sellers is so completely out of contact with reality that all he can do is repeat what he's seen on TV. Yet his pronouncements, as vague and infantile as they are, produce sound-bites and are vapid enough to allow his admirers (just about everyone admires him!) to project whatever meaning they want to, so that he is considered some sort of genius, even a Christ figure. To further my point, I am reminded of the cartoon Mr. McGoo where the blind McGoo avoids accident after accident by sheer luck. Peter Sellers avoids verbal accident after verbal accident by the sheer luck of people misinterpreting everything he says so that he comes off as a genius. If that premise sounds funny to you for 130 minutes, you'll like this movie. I've seen Being There ten times over the last 22 years and I love it more than ever, considering it a postmodern companion to the novel White Noise.