“Being There” is a satirical comedy-drama film about a simple-minded gardener who lives his entire life in the home of a wealthy man, educated only by television. When the old man dies, he must vacate the home, and, to make a long story short, becomes a celebrity. The comedy proceeds from there, smoothly executed by Hal Ashby (“Shampoo” 1975), who brings this far-fetched premise to a believable movie satire. It was a hit at the box office for Lorimar Productions and United Artists.
Peter Sellars is brilliant in the lead role of Chance in “Being There,” and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas were fantastic as Sellars’ new friends. Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Co-stars include Jack Warden, Richard Dysart, Richard Basehart, Than Wyenn, David Clennon, Fran Brill, Ruth Attaway, and Alice Hirson as the First Lady of the United States. Hirson would go on to fame as the recurring character Mavis Anderson on CBS’s “Dallas” (1982-1988).
Being There (1979)
cinema
My Review
“Being There” is a satirical comedy-drama film about a simple-minded gardener who lives his entire life in the home of a wealthy man, educated only by television. When the old man dies, he must vacate the home, and, to make a long story short, becomes a celebrity. The comedy proceeds from there, smoothly executed by Hal Ashby (“Shampoo” 1975), who brings this far-fetched premise to a believable movie satire. It was a hit at the box office for Lorimar Productions and United Artists.
Peter Sellars is brilliant in the lead role of Chance in “Being There,” and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas were fantastic as Sellars’ new friends. Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Co-stars include Jack Warden, Richard Dysart, Richard Basehart, Than Wyenn, David Clennon, Fran Brill, Ruth Attaway, and Alice Hirson as the First Lady of the United States. Hirson would go on to fame as the recurring character Mavis Anderson on CBS’s “Dallas” (1982-1988).