Being There (1980)

Product Details: Being There (1980)

Edition:DVD
MPAA Rating:PG
Release Date:02/03/2008
UPC:883929037094
Directed by:Hal Ashby
Featuring:Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, See all cast

Synopsis: Being There (1980)

BEING THERE is based on Jerzy Kosinski's short comic novel about a simpleton, Chance (Peter Sellers), raised in isolation whose only education came from watching TV. When he's forced out of the house where he worked as a gardener by the death of the wealthy recluse who raised him from infancy, he's fortuitously struck by a limousine carrying Eve Rand (Shirley...
BEING THERE is based on Jerzy Kosinski's short comic novel about a simpleton, Chance (Peter Sellers), raised in isolation whose only education came from watching TV. When he's forced out of the house where he worked as a gardener by the death of the wealthy recluse who raised him from infancy, he's fortuitously struck by a limousine carrying Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine), the wife of a wealthy industrialist. He's mistaken, because of his well-tailored suits, for a man of means and taken to dinner with her husband, Ben Rand (Melvyn Douglas). There, as Chauncy Gardner, his blank affect is taken for seriousness and his literal pronouncements about gardening for metaphoric economic predictions. Soon he's meeting the president (Jack Warden) and becoming a star on TV--where he's a natural.

Kosinski was well known to be personally fascinated by the power of television. In BEING THERE, which he adapted for the screen himself, he presents a comic fable about a man whose entire sense of reality came from watching television. Sellers is marvelous as the always-deadpan cipher in whom everyone he meets sees whatever it is they need to see. Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, and Melvyn Douglas give outstanding performances in this biting satire directed by Hal Ashby.

Other Available Editions: Being There (1980)

Features: Being There (1980)

Keep Case
Audio:
(unspecified) English
Additional Release Material:
Featurette: Memories from Being There wit Illeana Douglas (Granddaughter of Melvyn Douglas)

Awards: Being There (1980)

Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actor:Melvyn Douglas

User Reviews: Being There (1980)

  • Overall:

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    Best sellers film

    By Donald H  Aug 7, 2006

    Pros: great acting

    Cons: if want mindless explotions dont watch this

    Far and away peter sellers best role You must watch this movie more then once because it is one big metaphore filled with hidden messages and comentaries about society, politics, government, and the way we look at each other. And after you watch this... watch the life and death of peter sellers Read more Less

  • Overall:

    All-Time Favorite Movie

    By Jeffrey  Aug 3, 2002

    A brilliant fable with an endearing performance by Peter Sellers. The audience will smile in anticipation of his every word. This film punctuated the great loss for film from his death soon after.

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