Yar, you be here: Being There > Customer Reviews

Being There Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 38 Reviews)

Transcendence
I'm a big fan of both Peter Sellers and Hal Ashby, so this was a real treat. Ashby's simple, straightforward filmmaking perfectly backs up a simple, straightforward character played honestly and charismatically by Sellers. Just like how the characters use Chance as a way of projecting their needs outwards and clearing up their fears, the film is readily willing to allow you to put whatever you want into it, whether it be the nature of simplicity, the effects of television on people, and like themes.

But overall, it's a heartwarming and wonderful parable, something that, despite its sometimes sexual content, is really open for anybody to enjoy (though I don't know, kids or such might be a little bored by the prolonged way it presents its story).

Only because I saw the latter recently, I thought I'd mention that this seems an interesting precursor to a Japanese movie that came out last year named Bin-jip (3-Iron). Both deal with invisible characters living on the fringe of society who eventually take in all that the other characters give them (kindness in Being There, hatred in Bin-jip) and transcend to another plane of existence. In Being There, Sellers' transcendence is Biblical, while in Bin-jip the mute is Buddhist. Both of them are really good movies and make interesting companion pieces, so if you were awed by this movie, you should check out the other one.

Anyway, the key thing I got out of this movie was that Chance, being unable to really communicate the way people expect of him, is unaware that he makes the perfect listener. His "I like to watch" line is taken just as the characters take it: he is meant to provide the necessary objectivity needed in a room so that the characters can subjectively clear out their own anxieties and conscience. The familiar and warm presence of Sellers works great for this, because he of all people is really comforting to watch in his various roles.

--PolarisDiB

Takes it own time
The thing I like most about this movie is the pacing. Just like the lead character it takes it own time and I would imagine that they couldn't even make a movie like this today, nobody would allow the slow pacing, they would either fill it up with music, or gags, or quick cutting. Peter Sellers was simply brilliant. The fact that you can believe this character at all is a tribute to the writing and the directing. Simply a beautifully made movie

We should all be so "there" !
The best film Peter Sellers ever made ! It takes some concentration to get into the reason for the character "Chance" but once you do the whole film is utterly delightful ! Clean, funny,totally for the whole family. A real political comment on how illogical and self-serving our National Representatives can be, while showing how indeed " the meek shall inherit the earth".
An absolutely fabulous film !

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Next Page