Monday, November 30, 2009

Movie of the Week - Being There

This week’s movie is Being There (1979).

Being There, directed by Hal Ashby, is a story, based on the book by Jerzy Kosinski, who also wrote the screenplay, about a man that has seemingly the mental capacity of a child but is mistakenly thought to be a sage by those that encounter him after he leaves his home. There are a number of elements that make this movie great, but the most prominent is the remarkable performance by Peter Sellers (the second to last of his life); Sellers won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar. This story was a personal project for Sellers, as he spent many years trying to acquire the story and get the film made. It very well may be the best of his career. The film was also composed beautifully by Hal Ashby and his D.P. Caleb Deschanel, which culminates in a profound and much discussed final shot. The film is a must see for fans of Sellers, comedy/dramas and cinema. The film stars: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, and Jack Warden.

Being There [Blu-ray/DVD]

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