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Being There
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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301590747
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 6301590740
Label: Warner Home Video
Languages: English (Original Language), Analog
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: December 08, 1994
Running Time: 130 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: December 19, 1979
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Editorial Review:
Thanks to an extraordinary, delicately balanced performance by Peter Sellers, Being There received mixed reviews during its theatrical release in 1979, but has since become a celebrated comedy with a loyal following. It's one of the most unusual black comedies ever made, simply because it stretches a simple premise over 130 minutes of straight-faced, strangely compelling commentary on politics, media, and celebrity in media-savvy America. Adapted by Jerzy Kozinsky from his own novel, the movie's about a simple-minded, middle-aged gardener who, after a lifetime of seclusion and safety in a Washington, D.C. townhouse, gets his first exposure to reality beyond the walls of his sheltered existence. His only reference to the world is through his childlike addiction to television, and when a chance encounter brings him into the inner fold of a dying billionaire (Melvyn Douglas), he suddenly finds himself the toast of Washington's political elite. His simple phrases about gardening are misinterpreted as anything from economic predictions to sage political advice, and under the sharp direction of Hal Ashby, Sellers has the audacity to take this comedic conceit to its logical extreme. Being There is not for all tastes--especially not for those who don't appreciate comedic subtlety. But as a showcase for the daring genius of Peter Sellers, this is a classic movie in a category all its own. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - So painful to watch that I
wanted to burst into tears. I like movies that are long, with character development, but this isn't one of them. I can't believe how many people gave this movie 4 or 5 stars. This is a movie/plot that could have been cut down to 90 minutes and STILL have been way too long of a movie. Lastly, what the heck was up with the ending?! I didn't get that at all. My family and I sat there and stared at each other blankly when the credits started rolling, then had to watch another movie to try to erase the ... Read More
Rating:  - being there dvd
It is obvious that some portions of the movie were cut out on the dvd version of Being There which was disapointing to me. I don't know if the vhs version is the complete film or not, but I would have opted for vhs if it was a complete version of the film.
Rating:  - Subtle and Sublime Masterpiece!
It's been nearly three decades (ugh!) since I saw this film in the theater and always remembered it as being one of the great movies of all time - intelligent, witty, satirical, and thought-provoking. Sadly, I hadn't had a chance (no pun intended) to see it since and, while browsing for something to watch that would transport me to another place (something that all good movies should do), I remembered "Being There." To my great delight, I was surprised to find a copy.
Needless to say, ... Read More
Rating: - Prize turkey with all the trimmings
The word 'awful' doesn't even get near to describing how bad this movie is. 'Appalling' or 'crass' would be more apt, but even then I would be tempted to use an expletive intensifier with it. The idea itself has some sort of value, there is some satire in the motiff of a pure simpleton becoming the most listened to man in any major political regime, never mind the White House. And yet...! And yet the outcome here is a terribly contrived, horrendously artificial, and maddeningly overwritten piece of ... Read More
Rating: - The second coming
The final scene of the movie belies the rest of the movie. Suppose the final scene denotes truly what Chauncy Gardner was. Then all that went before was truly profound and not the ramblings of a mentally challenged person.
There was no identification associated with Chauncy, maybe he did just appear. Maybe heaven sent.
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