Review of Being There (1979) by Michael M — 31 Dec 2007

"In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again." - Chance.

For me, one of the funniest film actors of all time was Peter Sellers. The man was unbeatable when it came to comedy. He made me laugh so hard I cried in 'The Pink Panther', he made me laugh even harder in 'Dr. Strangelove' for which he received a coveted Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and he also made me constantly chuckle during his scene-stealing role in Kubrick's controversial 1962 venture 'Lolita'. He was a real king of comedy, but who knew he was actually an immensely talented dramatic actor. In his final film 'Being There' Sellers was given a chance to do what he had always wanted to do -- show people he could act serious. Sellers succeeded with flying colors with 'Being There', giving the finest performance of 1979 which should have earned him the Best Leading Actor Oscar but unfortunately didn't. 'Being There' surrounds a simple minded idiot savant, Chance (Peter Sellers), who is the gardener for an elder gentleman who feeds, clothes, lets him watch television (which Chance is obsessed with) and looks out for him. One day the old man dies, and Chance is left homeless. He wanders the streets then finds the gold-digger wife (Shirley MacLaine) of a old, rich and dying businessman (Melvyn Douglas - who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in this). The wife mistakes him for a rich gentleman and takes him home. Over the next month or so, Chance profoundly effects the lives of the wife, the husband, the President of the United States (Jack Warden) and television viewers everywhere. 'Being There' is a heart-felt and powerful film with a strong positive message that is only flawed due to some pacing issues. I highly recommend renting this film to see a different Sellers that is every bit as brilliant as the usual slap-stick Sellers everyone seems to know. Grade: B+.