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Being There

Being There

1979
Comedy, Drama
2h 10m
Chance, a simple gardener, has never left the estate until his employer dies. His simple TV-informed utterances are mistaken for profundity. (imdb)

Directed by:

Hal Ashby

Screenwriter:

Jerzy Kosinski

Starring:

Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, Peter Sellers, Richard Dysart, Richard Venture, Melvyn Douglas, Richard Basehart, David Clennon, Denise DuBarry, Ruth Attaway, Fran Brill, Basil Hoffman

Genres:

Comedy, Drama

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Italian, Russian
imdb IMDb
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Being There

1979
Comedy, Drama
2h 10m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 69.02% from 2697 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 19 May 2008
97
97th
Has a wonderful, mellow atmosphere that I simply love. The editing is incredible, mixing Chance's life with the television he watches all the time. It's an enjoyable dramatic comedy, and a thought-provoking film; it speaks volumes about how people see one another, and just how much of it we invent on our own.
Rated 19 May 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
36
3rd
I like the idea this was going for but Chance is just too stupid and oblivious for no one to call him out on it. For satire to work the exaggeration needs to be at least a little believable, and this wasn't, making the entire thing just frustrating to watch. Kind of like a horror movie where you keep yelling "don't go in there" at the screen.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
hawkinsHawkins
Rated 16 Jul 2016
78
65th
Sellers' tabula rasa performance is a great anchor but the movie's concept reaches too far to make its point, rendering everyone from streetwise thugs to leaders of nations unable to perceive that this guy is stupid six ways from Sunday. It is undoubtedly well-crafted, often dressing its protagonist in artsy photography and classical piano to reinforce the role of appearances - every lake looks deep on the surface.
Rated 16 Jul 2016
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 10 Oct 2010
19
7th
The entire plot & dialogue is built around the central conceit; nothing about the way Chance & the rest of the world react to one another seems natural or plausible. I like to think that this film is a sort of meta-satire at the audience's expense.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
66th
If perhaps not quite the masterpiece it's often hailed as, it does have a certain charm and intrigue to it, due primarily to Sellers' brilliant deadpan performance. Stick around for the ending credits.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 08 Jul 2019
80
65th
Jesus, what an ending!
Rated 08 Jul 2019
nilooravaeinilooravaei
Rated 24 Dec 2013
73
22nd
t wasn't a bad movie, but i found it to be on the whole very bland. i couldn't relate to the characters because i didn't understand what their thought-processes were or what the point of it all was. the film took the easy way out every chance it got, playing with a simple concept and not taking it anywhere. i suppose what this film lacked was conflict, and that is a great lack indeed.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 05 Jan 2013
70
63rd
Oddball fantasy about a simpleton gardener who, through a bizarre and unlikely sequence of events, becomes a nationally known Presidential adviser on economics simply by muttering about gardening and watching TV. It's long and not terribly funny, and the ending is a little too cute for it's own good, but Peter Sellers' performance is completely captivating and worth watching the film for. Dustin Hoffman pretty much stole the Oscar from Sellers.
Rated 05 Jan 2013
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 30 Jun 2010
84
92nd
Being There was Forrest Gump before Forrest Gump was Forrest Gump but quite a while after Sergeant York was Forrest Gump.
Rated 30 Jun 2010
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 11 May 2010
9
93rd
Nicely paced, funny, a good satire and very interesting. I love Zimmerman's editing. This and the other Ashby film he worked on (Coming Home) both have amazing editing. Also has just the right amount of symbolism, love the freemasonry reference at the end, very fitting with the rest of the film. PS, Forrest Gump owes it's entire existence to Jerzy Kosinski, huge ripoff. The end credits are great.
Rated 11 May 2010
zeytounzeytoun
Rated 07 Jan 2010
40
13th
Like the main character, this movie is a little simple, yet is misunderstood to be brilliant by everyone.
Rated 07 Jan 2010
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 04 Jan 2009
86
92nd
Facinating movie, the character of Chance is such a pure and wonderful man. This movie is much more valuable in its drama than its comedy. Much of the movie is quite profound and the ending is quite beautiful.
Rated 04 Jan 2009
cussotcussot
Rated 13 Nov 2008
85
68th
The emperor is always nude.
Rated 13 Nov 2008
jstryjstry
Rated 19 Aug 2008
88
85th
Hilarious! So well done. I don't know if I'm sold on the last scene, but I loved it overall. It's amazing that they were able to make such an oblivious character completely endearing and not at all annoying.
Rated 19 Aug 2008
markberonteMarkBeronte
Rated 12 Jun 2018
65
26th
Overrated and just lacks believability. Cross between Forest Gump and Bad Boy Bubby.
Rated 12 Jun 2018
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 05 Apr 2018
80
73rd
Ashby delivers a film that looks and sounds mature, and then you realize it hinges on a single joke for two hours. This wouldn't be possible without Sellers and his wonderfully bizarre performance. He mesmerizes with his simplicity and quiet gazes. Ultimately, this all may go a beat too far but the film is something to behold, for sure.
Rated 05 Apr 2018
modernmillieModernMillie
Rated 07 Sep 2015
85
82nd
You really have to dig deep to find the laugh-out-loud laughs if you're used to the in your face punchlines of the Panther movies. I enjoyed seeing Sellers in a more subdued comedy role. Social commentary that still holds true today unfortunately, but it felt like it was missing a bit of an edge that the filmmakers could have carried this movie to. Perhaps I came in thinking it would be more like "Brazil" or "Magic Christian" but it felt more like an Allen film. I miss Sellers. Worth a watch.
Rated 07 Sep 2015
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 19 Mar 2015
50
29th
An ultimately unfulfilling cinematic experience, but there are some parts that are wonderful, particularly when Sellers leaves the garden home for the first time ever.
Rated 19 Mar 2015
rufamRufam
Rated 15 Oct 2014
60
29th
Like Chance, "Being There" is naive if endearing and I have mixed feelings about it. I like the final scene, the credits, the lounge-Wagner sequence. Like Sellers. But this is ultimately too soft to be great satire and too unrealistic for a great character study. And I feel the way it handles themes like Chance's accidental wisdom, Ben's ridiculous wealth and the media is rather clichéd. Of course, it helped invent the cliché, but, still, it seems sketchy -and not funny enough.
Rated 15 Oct 2014
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 15 Mar 2013
4
34th
Not as good as Tokyo Gore Police.
Rated 15 Mar 2013
mkellinsmkellins
Rated 29 Oct 2012
55
44th
At best it's slightly amusing, but mostly just boring and awkward to watch.
Rated 29 Oct 2012
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 29 Nov 2011
75
74th
Really funny! About comedic misunderstandings. Great movie line:"It's for sure a white man's world in America. Look here: I raised that boy since he was the size of a piss-ant. And I'll say right now, he never learned to read and write. No, sir. Had no brains at all. Was stuffed with rice pudding between th' ears. Shortchanged by the Lord, and dumb as a jackass. Look at him now! Yes, sir, all you've gotta be is white in America, to get whatever you want. Gobbledy-gook!"
Rated 29 Nov 2011
kojilessKojiless
Rated 27 Sep 2011
80
85th
What I learned from this movie: Jesus was illiterate?
Rated 27 Sep 2011
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 06 Jun 2011
90
95th
Being There has one of the most beautifully profound endings I've ever seen, it left me bawling. The whole film is remarkably sweet and funny. Peter Sellers is magnificent.
Rated 06 Jun 2011
vesupriavesupria
Rated 18 Apr 2010
6
62nd
Sellers was brilliant as Chance - he really captured the deadpan, emotionally challenged protagonist, and kept it up all throughout the film. But I could not sympathise with the character at all. It's a great satire of public perception and people believing what they want to believe. I just didn't connect with it, nor did it provide any insight that I haven't seen elsewhere, yet done far better.
Rated 18 Apr 2010
burnmp3sburnmp3s
Rated 13 Dec 2009
91
94th
Sellers' subdued performance is absolutely perfect, and Shirley MacLaine and the rest of the supporting cast are superb as well. Overall the film is a slow and thoughtful comedy, although for me at least there was a kind of sadness running throughout the film due to the fact that none of the people Chance interacts with really understand him except in their own superficial ways.
Rated 13 Dec 2009
chemical404chemical404
Rated 27 Jun 2009
84
97th
Very funny and thought provoking film. It's just one joke film, but there's plenty to see if you look deeper. A brilliant satire about the life in the age of media. Politics, religion, consumerism, sex, even identity in touched in this film. But it never looses sensitivity and humor. A movie to see.
Rated 27 Jun 2009
kahKAH
Rated 06 Jun 2009
4
93rd
Builds up and grows on you till you sit with a big grin on your face. Warm hearted and hilarious.
Rated 06 Jun 2009
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 26 Apr 2009
100
99th
Maybe my favourite movie ever, hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time with Peter Sellers' best performance ever in the movie he finally got to do. Everyone else plays a wonderful straight-man to him as he cluelessly goes about his life, changing everything around him. Also features one of the best endings to a movie in movie history.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
jacoiiiJacoIII
Rated 26 Apr 2009
40
54th
Sellers is fantastic in this but something about this movie rings a little false. I don't demand realism from cinema but certain movies, such as this one, need realism to connect with the viewer. As it stands, the series of events in "Being There" are just too unbelievable for me to become totally immersed.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Mar 2009
72
81st
Good Movie
Rated 27 Mar 2009
janusjanus
Rated 14 Dec 2008
70
52nd
The first 129 minutes of this film appear to be about the American public's love of reassuring bullshit. While ambiguous, and possibly incredibly stupid, the ending is intriguing: have the filmmakers missed their own point and bought Gardiner's bullshit? Or are they trying to put one over on a receptive audience? I like being in on a joke, so I choose the latter, but is that just bullshit I tell myself so I can enjoy Sellers in his greatest role by far?
Rated 14 Dec 2008
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 02 Oct 2008
30
17th
Seller's last film is routinely hailed as genius but I don't get it. I found it boring and unfunny
Rated 02 Oct 2008
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 24 Mar 2008
37
34th
Being There was Forrest Gump before Forrest Gump was Forrest Gump. Not quite as ugly or sentimental as that movie, but its satire -- the public takes the platitudes of an intellectually retarded man as insightful -- is just as obvious and, seeing as it refuses to take a stance on its retard-protagonist's ascendance to prophet, kinda meaningless too. The less talk about the Christ imagery, the better.
Rated 24 Mar 2008
icarusIcarus
Rated 22 Oct 2007
90
89th
Fantastic satire with a remarkable performance from Sellers. There is a certain amount of repetition in the kind of observation being made, but there is an increasing unbelievability to Chance's acceptance, as the situations grow in significance (TV, president) or in their personal nature (the whole interlude with Eve). It's that very unbelievability that forms the basis for Ashby's satire, one that continues to be relevant today as we watch people imbue an empty candidate with their hopes.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 16 Mar 2024
65
39th
Iwouldveopenedupattheslightesttouchetclool
Rated 16 Mar 2024
plasticprimateplasticprimate
Rated 02 Jan 2024
90
27th
Brilliant social satire
Rated 02 Jan 2024
twincinematwincinema
Rated 11 Dec 2022
80
75th
Love when the satire of 40+ years ago becomes reality. Want to see the Gen-Z remake and have a 30-year old kid raised on those darn TikTok dances!!
Rated 11 Dec 2022
mustafatanismustafatanis
Rated 21 Jul 2022
80
70th
Best final scene ever
Rated 21 Jul 2022
obdurateObdurate
Rated 16 Feb 2022
90
91st
It worked because it wasn't too unbelievable. I mean, a lot of what he said about gardens made sense, but were also silly enough that it still made the point of making everyone around him look clueless, which was the aim of the satire. Sellers wasn't expected to do a lot of heavy lifting, but there was still an absolute charm to what he was portraying, and without him hitting that perfectly, the character wouldn't have been as endearing. As others have noted, not LOL funny, but still amusing.
Rated 16 Feb 2022
bownBown
Rated 19 Jul 2021
87
84th
Eve give two rides
Rated 19 Jul 2021
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 19 Jun 2021
80
78th
I started to get a little antsy around 15 minutes into this movie because it is glacially slow and really didn't seem to be going anywhere. There's a sophisticated humor that starts to pick up (it briefly dips into cheap laughs near the end) during so many intentionally awkward scenarios, yet it's hard to call this a comedy. Incredible performances keep this character study mostly believable, even when it feels like the thin premise has no more to give.
Rated 19 Jun 2021
sopachuco13sopachuco13
Rated 14 Apr 2021
100
96th
This movie could never be made today. Audiences now need to be beaten over the head for a plot to make an impact with them. Being There is a supremely funny movie about a bumbling idiot who just keeps getting the world thrown in his lap. The irony is that he would be perfectly happy just sitting on his butt watching TV or gardening. The subplot that laces the film is that white people can bumble their way through life and everything will just be presented to them on a platter. Perfection.
Rated 14 Apr 2021
chengmingchengming
Rated 04 Feb 2021
75
76th
The story is simplistic and a bit silly, so this could easily have turned into a terrible movie. In Ashby's and Deschanel's hands (and with Sellers) , however, it is imbued with substance that make it a joy to watch.
Rated 04 Feb 2021
faveryfavery
Rated 10 Jan 2021
30
7th
Few film adaptations surpass the one that you visualize in your head while you read the book... but still, it's a bad idea to stretch a novella into a two-hour movie.
Rated 10 Jan 2021
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 14 Mar 2020
47
34th
I understand the appeal, but the premise doesn't hold water and is stretched far too far, leaving the movie as a one-note disappointment.
Rated 14 Mar 2020
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 02 Nov 2019
80
79th
This is a very quirky and quite subtle film. Its a comedy of sorts - a very dry comedy, not a visual, big belly laugh type of a comedy but I enjoyed it for being a little different. Sellers does well portraying a slightly confused and unsure person, someone is just...well, there, although he is also seemingly quite knowledgable, someone who it appears knows more than perhaps he realises himself.
Rated 02 Nov 2019
antidood1antidood1
Rated 10 Jul 2019
80
84th
What struck me most is how everyone fails or refuses to take Chance at face value. Everyone sees in Chance who they want him to be, and Chance doesn't even have any say in the matter, because he doesn't understand what's going on and he's too polite to admit it. Peter Sellers obviously makes this movie. He fully embodies this unlikely character, and a lesser performance would've rendered the whole movie unwatchable. The final shot is incredibly bold and provides lots of food for thought.
Rated 10 Jul 2019
umutheatreumutheatre
Rated 11 May 2019
94
96th
Bütün Peter Sellers filmografisini bitirmemek için zor tutuyorum kendimi şu anda. Bir insan nasıl bu kadar büyük bir aktör olabilir, aklım hayalim duruyor düşündükçe. Being There, şüphesiz bir başyapıt ve hakkında okuduğum şeyler ile filme karşı daha çok yükseliyorum.
Rated 11 May 2019
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 29 Apr 2019
80
81st
Chance the Gardener: "As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden."
Rated 29 Apr 2019
nobambanobamba
Rated 12 Feb 2019
30
15th
I don't get it. I understand the premise and why it receives praise, but it's just not for me. Most of the movie goes along in a very boring fashion. Sellers' character is too stupid and slow to convince anyone. It's like an unlikeable Forrest Gump. Fav scene: Shirley MacLaine.
Rated 12 Feb 2019
lofisofilofisofi
Rated 14 Oct 2018
60
57th
the irony upon which this film builds its foundation is cruel if you ask me
Rated 14 Oct 2018
sputnik84sputnik84
Rated 18 Mar 2018
89
86th
An early and thoughtful meditation on white privilege and the American tendency to ascribe wisdom to idiots because they happen to be men.
Rated 18 Mar 2018
calabriaCalabria
Rated 29 Jan 2018
81
58th
It's kind of just like Chance himself. As long as the water is still enough, you can see your own reflection whether it's an inch or a mile deep.
Rated 29 Jan 2018
jlewisjlewis
Rated 02 Dec 2017
65
34th
Not many things interesting or engaging here. For the thought experiment to work, it needed his actions and words to be slightly more than blithering idiocy, however they weren't, and this destroyed any possibility for suspension of disbelief.
Rated 02 Dec 2017
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 22 Sep 2017
70
76th
Cute. And that's the main problem. Still a very good movie.
Rated 22 Sep 2017
mrarnmrarn
Rated 30 May 2017
70
90th
There are two things going on in this film, silly humor and deep thinking. So you can laugh at the line, "I like to watch", then contemplate the meaning of the last line "life is a state of mind" as it relates to walking on water. This idea of deeper meaning might also all be part of the joke, enjoy the movie, I did.
Rated 30 May 2017
yiannosYiannos
Rated 02 Apr 2017
80
92nd
Ashby's droll social satire perhaps overstays its welcome, but it is an original comedy-drama that's smart and surprising, presenting a cynical view of the media age that avoids contempt. Sellers is excellent as Chauncey, a simple minded gardener who by chance (get it?) finds his way into high society where his vacuous utterances are mistaken for profundity. His slow deadpan delivery is wryly amusing, and Ashby wisely focuses on his awkward interactions with others to create real ambiguity.
Rated 02 Apr 2017
mike365365mike365365
Rated 25 Feb 2017
55
23rd
Much, much too long for it's premise.
Rated 25 Feb 2017
troothTrooth
Rated 02 Feb 2017
78
78th
This movie is a lot of fun, not the least reason being that you can take quite a few lines of social commentary out of it, while it remains funny the whole way through.
Rated 02 Feb 2017
hiromiyamotohiromiyamoto
Rated 17 Jan 2017
98
91st
Peter Sellers was one of the finest actors of all time, and that is especially true of his performance in this film. There's something unsettling and quite unfathomable about Chance the Gardener and the way he views the world, at least for a normal such as myself. But he brings a strange sort of humanity to the role that makes Chance feel less like a caricature and more like a real person.
Rated 17 Jan 2017
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 25 Oct 2015
80
72nd
Dougie Jones: The Movie
Rated 25 Oct 2015
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 02 Apr 2015
85
87th
I don't normally like movies where coincidence is the driving force of the plot, yet this one had enough charm and humor that I didn't end up minding. Sellers is great.
Rated 02 Apr 2015
dolphinspursDolphinSpurs
Rated 25 Feb 2015
83
57th
Updated rating, previously: 76 Being There is hard to place. A very slow, understated, somewhat pitch-black but also lighthearted satire on the nature of celebrity, politics and mental health. As a DC resident, the movie rings true about the sort of hobnobbing that happens behind closed walls and then ups the ante with Sellers' mentally handicapped character. Uncomfortable to watch but hard to look away. A scene near the end involving a former colleague who sees Sellers on TV really hits home.
Rated 25 Feb 2015
krf7krf7
Rated 03 Jan 2015
92
93rd
Brilliant ending...made the movie.
Rated 03 Jan 2015
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 31 Dec 2014
75
83rd
Superb performance by Peter Sellers, and a telling commentary on the direction politics took as the generation shaped by the Great Depression and the Wars began to give way to the Baby Boomers.
Rated 31 Dec 2014
sdplisskenSDPlissken
Rated 13 Dec 2014
67
74th
Arguably Sellers best ever performance lifts what is a well scripted, but decidedly mediocre movie to greater heights.
Rated 13 Dec 2014
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
85
92nd
2nd viewing
Rated 03 Dec 2014
sellissellis
Rated 07 Sep 2014
91
90th
I don't think Chance is mentally challenged at all. He is merely a product of the environment he has spent so much time around. His was incredibly simple - television and his garden. From this, he learned everything he implements in his human relationships. In this way, it comes across as more detailed and authentic than Forrest Gump. Sellers is PERFECT in this. Restrained yet sympathetic, even heroic. He's like Bill Murray meets Chaplin. I've never seen anything like his performance in this.
Rated 07 Sep 2014
djsmithDjsmith
Rated 26 Jul 2014
85
88th
The gardiner
Rated 26 Jul 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
88
95th
88.000
Rated 23 Mar 2014
ocelotOcelot
Rated 07 Dec 2013
75
81st
One of the best performances ever caught on film. In addition to the brilliance of Sellers himself, the movie is a wonderful commentary on how we assign meaning to the things we don't understand, despite Chance's nonsense being more profound than anything said by anyone else in the film. Apparently, Peter Sellers was furious at the inclusion of bloopers during the end credits. I don't blame him.
Rated 07 Dec 2013
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 08 Nov 2013
90
80th
This film is an incredible balancing act; never uproariously funny, but never suffocatingly sad, either. In many ways, this makes it the quintessential Ashby film, replete with the moments that are out of place (like Harold and Maude's tryst, Shirley Maclaine's masturbation scene probably takes it too far in keeping with the times). Peter Sellers' performance is great and the ending is literally stunning.
Rated 08 Nov 2013
neonmanNeonman
Rated 11 Sep 2013
89
90th
A simple and delightful fable, goes into all sorts of strange and unexpected scenarios, yet they never feel forced or contrived. Sellers is amazing.
Rated 11 Sep 2013
oaicoaic
Rated 09 Sep 2013
60
29th
Frankly, I think Sellers has been better. It takes a sort-of neat premise and hammers it into the ground.
Rated 09 Sep 2013
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 10 Aug 2013
85
86th
Is this retardedly touching or touchingly retarded??
Rated 10 Aug 2013
bob_thrillinbob thrillin
Rated 17 Apr 2013
83
69th
So sweet and affectionate. I'm accustomed to modern cringe comedy, so most of the movie was watched through my fingers. I'm so glad that was unnecessary.
Rated 17 Apr 2013
jerragjerrag
Rated 28 Mar 2013
94
0th
Highly Recomend falliing on floor comedy.
Rated 28 Mar 2013
caimancaiman
Rated 07 Jan 2013
93
96th
Here is a warm, sensitive, thoughtful, funny film. Peter Sellers is an absolute marvel. The writing is spot on; a lesser movie of this "miscommunication humor" type (and there have been many), would rely mostly on dialog contrivances to maintain the effect. Here the interaction between Chance and the other characters seems genuine. When Chance says "I like to watch," and the gay man misinterprets, it's sincerely funny. The whole movie is filled with these, and it kept me smiling ear to ear.
Rated 07 Jan 2013
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 05 Jan 2013
30
33rd
Forrest Gump owes this film big-time. I didn't like Gump though, and I don't like this. The whole film is a one-trick pony, relying on the same misinterpretation gimmick again and again. Which would be OK if it ever managed to pull it off well. It doesn't, and we're left with a rather pretentious story full of artificial characters. If there was some deeper satire at work then it was lost on me. I never engaged with anyone in this film and it seemed to last far longer than its 2hr runtime.
Rated 05 Jan 2013
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 26 Nov 2012
82
93rd
Awesome script, fucking spot-on direction, those two brilliant performances, man....so fucking well done.
Rated 26 Nov 2012
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 09 Oct 2012
30
30th
A precursor of Adam Sandler movies. Shallow, effortless fluff that relies on the viewer being as stupid as its characters.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
damildamil
Rated 11 Sep 2012
80
90th
It's certainly the best example of a sort of mistaken identity comedy film I've seen. Peter Sellers' performance is pretty extraordinary. He completely became the character. It wasn't 'laugh out loud' funny, but it was amusing, while also being very touching and full of humanity. The final shot was fantastic.
Rated 11 Sep 2012
twisptwisp
Rated 16 Aug 2012
83
81st
On meaning produced by the context.
Rated 16 Aug 2012
oretyo_rety
Rated 13 Aug 2012
35
7th
Utterly artificial. I know, supposedly it's an allegory of man's powerful urge to be deceived. Right, great theme. But the story is bollocks. Not to mention it's only a cheap rip-off of the Polish original ("The Career of Nicodemus Dyzma" by Dolega-Mostowicz).
Rated 13 Aug 2012
stuie299stuie299
Rated 02 Aug 2012
90
90th
This movie constantly drifts in and out of believability. Sometimes the premise helps to create some unexpectedly hilarious moments, but other times the film just seems one dimensional. Sellers however really makes the movie work with his incredibly amazing performance. Jack Warden and Melvyn Douglas are also great. Plus the ending is all too confusingly wonderful. I don't exactly understand it but it just fit the mood and tone of the film so well.
Rated 02 Aug 2012
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 19 Jul 2012
84
60th
Tries to seem deeper than it is (so did the book), but Sellars is wonderful.
Rated 19 Jul 2012
roofsrunnerroofs_runner
Rated 08 Jun 2012
96
96th
Before Forrest Gump there was an amazing Mr. Gardener.
Rated 08 Jun 2012
glmglm
Rated 15 May 2012
90
92nd
89.750
Rated 15 May 2012
braddad68braddad68
Rated 15 May 2012
100
97th
Masterpiece!
Rated 15 May 2012
nobletNoblet
Rated 30 Apr 2012
74
54th
A good satire, although it does hammer it's point home over and over again. I also didn't really think it was that funny. It's a smart and poignant film, but not one I feel like revisiting again anytime soon.
Rated 30 Apr 2012
balseirosbalseiros
Rated 04 Mar 2012
80
69th
Indeed it comes as an earlier and better version of Forrest Gump, but this one shines a light on the prevailing obliquity in human relations. Chance is raised to such a high position for the simple fact that people are not used to hold a direct and sincere conversation. One must wonder how many misunderstandings have shaped human history just because people failed in transmiting a direct message. Perhaps we need to be more like Chance. The outtakes at the end however are absolutely the worst.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 17 Dec 2011
95
98th
Peter Selllers gives an outstanding, subdued performance. The supporting cast is also great and the screenplay is really smart.
Rated 17 Dec 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 11 Dec 2011
25
61st
"Ground Zero for the cult of Sellers." - Eric Henderson
Rated 11 Dec 2011
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
76
52nd
#475
Rated 30 Nov 2011
lupisterlupister
Rated 21 Sep 2011
61
70th
Takes too much suspension of disbelief. But somehow I still liked it, although not for what it was supposed to be, I guess.
Rated 21 Sep 2011
snakefood89SNAKEFOOD89
Rated 20 May 2011
84
73rd
Chauncy..Chauncy..Chauncy..Movie would be better if poor Chance wasn't "malaprop"riately name dropped every few minutes. But overall Being There is a great film garnering an enthralling performance from Peter Sellers. It develops easily with a well paced plot, light humor, and societal commentary lurking behind the scenes. In the end it's an enjoyable film, well worth the watch. Though the ending is a bit enigmatic, and IMOH possibly contrived.
Rated 20 May 2011
greatscott85GreatScott85
Rated 28 Apr 2011
91
78th
Peter Sellers' finest performance. I dare one not to be charmed and dazzled by this film.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
sdiamasdiama
Rated 31 Mar 2011
74
79th
A great script idea, but the movie was longer than it should be and the pace very-very slow.
Rated 31 Mar 2011
babamotsbabamots
Rated 26 Feb 2011
31
10th
A handicapped man getting threatened by a gang is funny? Inspiring, maybe. Comedy, no. And minus 20 points for bloopers over the end credits.
Rated 26 Feb 2011

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