Being There Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1092

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 96

Theatrical Release Date: 12/19/1979

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 02/03/2009

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Hal Ashby

Actors: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart, Richard Basehart

Plot: A simple gardener has to leave the only home he has ever known when the owner dies. Out on the D.C. streets alone, only speaking what he has learned from TV, he none-the-less comes into contact with a wealthy lobbyist, who is dying himself. Soon he is the toast of town, but remains the simple man he has always been. -- Chris Kavan

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/10/2019

It may look like just another overly sweet fable about a simple-minded main character, but "Being There" is much more than that. It's incredibly clever and has more to offer than sentimentality.

Gabe - wrote on 02/06/2017

Peter Sellers is considered a comedy genius, and I think he is, just look at Dr. Strangelove (1964). But, this film, it's just not sure what it wants to be. Now, I've never read the book, maybe it's just like the film, I don't know. Sellers, is funny, but not laugh-out-loud funny. Melvyn Douglas did win the Oscar for playing Mr. Rand. The AFI named this one of the funniest American films ever. I would have to disagree with that.

Amyaronson - wrote on 07/18/2011

Peter Sellers plays a gardener who has lived with a rich guy his whole life, and has never been in the real world. The rich guy dies and the house is seized, leaving the gardener homeless an thrown into a new and scary world. He is possibly mildly retarded or autistic, but no one notices. Instead, the world thinks he is totally profound and he becomes friends with president. I think this movie is supposed to be commenting on how easily Americans will believe in and trust someone, even if what they are saying is bullshit. Cute, I guess, but not a new idea. This movie is absurd and postmodern and Peter Sellers-y, but it was tedious and tiresome and I do not recommend it.

Ichabod Crane
Movie God

A very nice film

Ichabod Crane - wrote on 11/23/2008

A nice film, that comedy mostly derives from people's inability to tell that someone is mentally handicapped. Peter sellers is very good in it because he does not over do it and never falters the character, who more or less is an impersonation of Stan Laurel. Only one person realizing the truth is a bit far fetched but beside that this film is good.

Pros: A pleasant and nice performance from Peter Sellers. Good supporting players, and humorous and nice to watch.

Cons: Went too far to allow believability, and was I think oddly edited later on in the film especially the party scenes.

Oscar Win Best Supporting Actor Melvyn Douglas 2/5- Douglas is not bad at all as the old man who befriends Chance but he just plays and old guy in an old guy sort of way. He does not do anything …