Review of Being Julia (2004) by Ray D — 22 Jun 2005

[color=white][b][u][size=4]Being Julia[/size] [size=2](2004)[/size][/u] [/b].

[b]Being Julia is disappointing. Annette Bening does a hell of an English accent, but ultimately was not very good at making this woman mean much to us. I didn't understand the Oscar nomination.

Revenge ultimately isn't really sweet ? Is that the moral of this story ? I don't think that is all W.Somerset Maugham had in mind in the book Theatre that this story was based on, at least I hope not.

Bening plays an aging actress (Julia) performing in a play produced by her husband (Jeremy Irons). The couple agreed years ago it seems, that Julia is allowed to sleep around, but as soon as she finds out he does, all hell breaks loose. At least I wish it did in this sloooow mooovie. Julia has one of the most boring and improbable love affairs with a younger American social climber (the sleep-walking Shaun Evans) who seduces the supposedly savvy "older woman"! I don't think in real life he would care a less for this actress who doesn't have a "real life" or she for him and his lifeless demeanor! (I can't believe this film is getting any good reviews!).

Julia seemingly uses lines from plays she's been in and her day to day conversations interchangeably. Always the actress. This runs out of steam real fast as dialogue fodder, even her son tells her so. The movie is visually sumptuous enough in it's 1930's London theatre period piece drag...but without any original plot punch that also plays out quickly as does the All About Eve twist.

You see the woman who is sleeping with Julia's husband has also stolen her young man away. The young woman (Lucy Punch) is also an up and coming actress (up-staging Julia) in a play starring Julia. Revenge is the order of the day and carried out, and so what ? I wanted to go to sleep. This film just doesn't work or make you care. Bening is not convincing or interesting enough as a British stage star of the Thirties...and that's what she needs to do to make this movie matter. I don't think it does matter.[/b] [/color].