Review of Being There (2011) by Jarett B — 22 Nov 2010
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry throughout and at the end of the film. On the one hand, the premise if funny. But, on the other, Sellers never plays the role as if the situation is funny; in fact, he plays the role with a heavy melancholic strain.
Knowing the circumstances behind the film, Sellers' career at the time, and that he was to die a year later, and I can't help but sob for Chance (Sellers) even when the film is humorous. Add Shirley MacLaine (who's stunningly beautiful) and her emotional struggle and, well, you'd have to be a monster not to be touched by this film (it's magic!).
I agree with Sellers that the film has a sort of 'charm', which is highlighted by the magnificent final shot--one of those few moments of movie magic. Unfortunately, he was also right that the credit sequence, which is a gag reel, really destroys the spell that the film has created up to that point.
Apparently there is another version of the credits; for the sake of the film, I hope it is (or becomes) the standard version.
This review of Being There (2011) was written by Jarett B on 22 Nov 2010.
Being There has generally received very positive reviews.
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