Review of Being Julia (2004) by Julie R — 21 Nov 2004

[i]Being Julia[/i] is not without its flaws, but I found it to be very enjoyable all the same. In this adaptation of a Somerset Maugham novel, Julia Lambert is one of the leading ladies of the London stage in the 1930s. When the movie begins, she is tired and wants to take a break from the stage, from London, from her life. She meets Tom Fennel (Shaun Evans), a young, cheeky American, who is totally infatuated with her. Their affair rejuvenates her. For a short time, she feels young, energetic, radiant. Of course Tom's affections are bound to turn elsewhere eventually. And Julia's revenge on her young rival is as hilarious as it is unmerciful.

As Julia Lambert, Annette Bening gives one of her best film performances. Whether on stage or off, Julia is always performing. She's said some of her lines so many times in real life that her personal assistant can even mouth them along with her. She wants to feel the passion of real life, but needs to always be the star. Her husband, Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons), understands this. Theirs is a business partnership above all. If they each find personal satisfaction elsewhere, that's fine, as long as it doesn't negatively impact the business. The only time he really expresses his love for her is at the very end of the movie when she's done something cruel which guaranties the success of their latest endeavor. In this way she and Michael are well matched. Jeremy Irons does an admirable job in this role. So does Bruce Greenwood as her close friend Lord Charles.

Michael Gambon also is quite good as her mentor Jimmy Langton. But this is one of problems I had with the film. Jimmy has been dead for 15 years. He appears through Julia's memory of him coaching her when she was just starting her career. It's a device that is only partly successful. Jimmy's appearance was at times disconcerting and didn't seem to fit the reality of the film. At other times it felt like a very appropriate commentary on events.

The other problem I had was Shaun Evans' Tom. He's an attractive young man, but doesn't seem to have much acting experience. He isn't really bad, but his performance just isn't up to the level of the other actors in the cast.

The movie looks terrific. The costumes and other period detail are very fine. The 30's music throughout is exquisite. And there is much that is very funny. For the most part, I really enjoyed this movie.