"Being There" is a 1979 American satirical comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby, based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Jerzy Kosiński. The film stars Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, and Melvyn Douglas. It tells the story of a simple-minded, sheltered gardener named Chance, who, after the death of his employer, becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful tycoon and an insider in political Washington. The film is known for its rich and complex narrative, and it has been praised for its subtle and brilliant satire, as well as Peter Sellers' remarkable performance. The movie is historically fascinating and is considered a jewel in the world of cinema.
Plot
"Being There" is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby, based on the novel by Jerzy Kosiński. The story revolves around a simple-minded gardener named Chance, who, after the death of his employer, is forced out of the only home he's ever known. Due to a series of misunderstandings, he becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful tycoon and an insider in political Washington. The film is known for its rich and complex narrative, subtle satire, and the remarkable performance of Peter Sellers. It has been described as historically fascinating and is considered a jewel in the world of cinema. The movie's deceptively straightforward surface and enigmatic nature make it open to various interpretations, and it is a subject of endless points of view and discussions. The film has been praised for its sensitive direction, subtle brilliance, and the remarkable performance of Sellers.
Trailer
Cast
- Peter Sellers as Chance
- Shirley MacLaine as Eve Rand
- Melvyn Douglas as Benjamin Rand
- Jack Warden as President Bobby
- Richard Dysart as Dr. Robert Allenby
- Richard Baseheart as Vladimir
- Jack Nance as Mr. Fabian
- R.G. Armstrong as Mr. Schwartz
- Hal Hefner as Mr. Kruger
- John Rubinstein as Mr. Yeager
- Michael Lerner as Mr. Green
- David Doyle as Mr. Porter
- James Tolkan as Mr. Martin
- Charles A. Walters as Mr. Mitchell
- Sam Melville as Mr. Thompson
- Robert Walden as Mr. Harris
- John McConnell as Mr. Collyer
- Frank Corsale as Mr. Simmons
- Jerry Stiller as Mr. Stein
- Bill Macy as Mr. Beame
- Paul Benedict as Mr. Wagner
- Michael Higgins as Mr. Taft
- Bruce McGill as Mr. Paine
- Timothy Scott as Mr. Saunders
- Richard Farnsworth as Mr. Foster
- David Clennon as Mr. Kendrick
- James C. Daly as Mr. Fowler
- Sam Waterston as Mr. Myerson
- Lane Smith as Mr. Tyson
- Christopher Walken in an uncredited role
Director: Hal Ashby
Writer: Jerzy Kosinski
Distributor: United Artists, Warner Bros.
Box Office Gross: $30,177,511
Genre: Comedy
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1979
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Theme
The theme of "Being There" revolves around the idea of perception and how it shapes reality. The film explores the concept of how people can be easily fooled by appearances and how they can project their own beliefs and desires onto others. It also touches on the themes of power, influence, and the corrupting nature of politics. The film's central character, Chance, is a blank slate onto which others project their own interpretations, and his lack of personality and depth is a commentary on the superficiality of modern society.
Reception
"Being There" was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1979. It was praised for its subtle satire, sensitive direction, and the remarkable performance of Peter Sellers. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Sellers, Best Director for Hal Ashby, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Jerzy Kosiński. It won the Best Supporting Actor award for Melvyn Douglas. The film has since become a cult classic and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
Production Challenges
The production of "Being There" faced several challenges, including finding the right actor to play the lead role of Chance. Several actors, including Woody Allen and Dustin Hoffman, were considered for the part before Peter Sellers was cast. Another challenge was finding the right location for the film's climactic scene, which takes place in a garden. The filmmakers scouted several locations before settling on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Settings
"Being There" is set in Washington D.C. and revolves around the world of politics and power. The film's settings include the Rand estate, the White House, and various other locations in the city. The film's climactic scene takes place in a garden at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Visual Styles and Techniques
"Being There" is known for its subtle and understated visual style, which complements the film's themes of perception and reality. The film's cinematography is characterized by long takes, static shots, and a muted color palette. The film's use of sound is also notable, with ambient noise and silence used to create a sense of tension and unease.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- Peter Sellers was initially reluctant to take on the role of Chance, as he found the character too similar to his previous roles. He was convinced to take on the part by his friend and fellow actor Shirley MacLaine.
- The film's famous line "Life is a state of mind" was ad-libbed by Peter Sellers.
- The film's ending, which is open to interpretation, was a source of controversy among the filmmakers. Director Hal Ashby wanted to end the film with a shot of Chance walking on water, but the producers vetoed the idea.
- The film's score was composed by Johnny Mandel and features a memorable theme song called "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year".
- The film's screenplay was adapted from the novel of the same name by Jerzy Kosiński, who also wrote the screenplay for the film "Being There" was Hal Ashby's last major film as a director before his death in 1988.
