Being There (Hal Ashby, 1979): USA

Reviewed by Kevin Tran

Humor is a funny thing. At times it can be subtle and eloquent, at other it can also be outrageous and absurd. But however which way you look at it, laughter is always the best medicine. And perhaps one of the greatest, and most underrated, prescriber of this miracle drug is Hal Ashby. In Being There, Ashby creates a rather slow paced film that amazingly keeps the laughter coming.

Being There stars the extremely talented and funny Peter Sellers as Chance, a simple gardener that apparently been raised strictly on television. He has never left the estate where he has been working until his employer dies and then is forced to face the urban streets of Washington D.C. His absentmindedness turns his life into a brief time of political success, which he never fully realizes, as he befriends a powerful, dying businessman and his beautiful, young wife.

A lot of the comical elements in the film burden rely on Sellers winning the audience over with his charm and humor, but like Charlie Chaplin he succeeds by making his way into our hearts. Ashby’s direction is beautifully ethereal and he brings wonderful performances from the supporting cast. Being There is a one of a kind film that is utterly delightful to watch, with an ending so good you’ll likely to watch it more than once.

About this entry

You’re currently reading “Being There (Hal Ashby, 1979): USA,” an entry on Student Film Reviews

Published:
09.01.08 / 7pm
Category:
Films