Review of Being There (2011) by Artur C — 03 Jan 2011
"Being There" is one of the most ridiculously yet beautiful stories I have ever seen on a film for a while. It follows the life of a very simple-minded man named Chance (Peter Sellers) who ends up moving into a home of a wealthy, dying politician (Melvyn Douglas) and his wife (Shirley MacClaine).
Everyone seems to fall for his very simple dialogue, which is unbelievably inane. However, Hal Ashby's direction completely covers it up by adding comedy and sensitive drama into the film and it plays out so well, we completely forget how ridiculous the story is.
It is truly a wonderful film, filled with fine performances by Peter Sellers and Shirley MacClaine, along with fine wit and cinematography. Ashby successfully combines comedy and drama, a rarity in films and the only other time where it was this good was Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" (also starring MacClaine).
A fine film here and another very good one from the 1970's.
This review of Being There (2011) was written by Artur C on 03 Jan 2011.
Being There has generally received very positive reviews.
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