Review of Being Julia (2004) by Dfw F — 17 Nov 2009

Some Friends saw this on the big screen in 2004. I missed it. Decided to catch up (also after watching Michael Gambon in Singing Detective) This film is a Tale of amorous folly and revenge set in the world of the London stage in the late 1930's.

It is based on a story by W Somerset Maugham. I love his writings and have read most of his books. Here- Reigning diva Julia Lambert's success and fame grow suddenly wearisome. She falls head over heels for a young American, Tom, and begins a passionate May/December affair.

When she realizes that Tom is just a young social climber whose real passion is ambitious young starlet Avice Crichton, Julia begins to plot a delightful revenge. This film might be Benningâ??s finest role.

I love the art deco 30s London and stage sets and theater sets are very magnificent! Annette Benning is great. Benning's performance thoroughly does justice to her larger-than-life character. Benning plays 1930s stage actress Julia Lambert.

Julia is by turns melodramatic, egocentric, overbearing and overwrought. She roars into our consciousness from her first scene to her final curtain. Most of the reviews and award nominations associated with this film will likely heap loads of praise on Annette Benning and little else.

She is in nearly every scene, so it's hard to separate her performance from anything else -- and while she is brilliant; the story, direction, costumes, cinematography, art direction, and supporting performances are equally worthy of praise.

Every once in a while, they make a great movie like they used to. Istvan Szabo's film, like the W. Somerset Maugham novel upon which it's based, is a dramatic affair, a confection based on dalliances and the way a set of sophisticated theater people handled them, and in this film it is a true distinction.

The 1930s art deco theater days were fabulous. enjoyed this. Tom (Shaun Evans),the young American is also good in his role. The 1930s art deco theater days were fabulous. enjoyed this. Three stars some reviews were not kind to this movie (see Ebert Variety Others) I disagree I loved this movie and people familiar with drama theater musicals plays will also like it despite a few problems.