Being There
starring: Peters Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Richard A. Dysart, Jack Warden
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Product Description:
Peter sellers triumphs in his award-winning role as an illiterate gardener hilariously catapulted into the fast lane of political power. Special features: trailer: cast/director film highlights: subtitles in english french spanish and portuguese.Studio: Warner Home VideoRelease Date: 04/03/2001Starring: Peter Sellers Melvyn DouglasRun time: 130 minutesRating: PgDirector: Hal Ashby
Amazon.com essential video:
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
Peter sellers triumphs in his award-winning role as an illiterate gardener hilariously catapulted into the fast lane of political power. Special features: trailer: cast/director film highlights: subtitles in english french spanish and portuguese.Studio: Warner Home VideoRelease Date: 04/03/2001Starring: Peter Sellers Melvyn DouglasRun time: 130 minutesRating: PgDirector: Hal Ashby
Amazon.com essential video:
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
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Being There is a Classic
Excellent! Peter Sellers is funnier than you know what. Great acting with lots of deadpan humor and play on words/metaphors! This DVD is even more entertaining with its "outtake" clips of him totally cracking up while trying to say certain lines with a straight face.
Rating: - I've been looking for this---
I believe this is the last movie Peter Sellers made before he passed away.I had purchased it in the VHS format many years ago & have been looking to see if it was available in DVD.What a classic!The story reveals an odd look at a world groping for answers (much like today).You'll enjoy watching it again & again.
Rating: - Rise of the empty man
A highly recommended movie and by far the best film Peter Sellars ever made. In my opinion he should have won and Oscar for it.Being There truly reflects the times we live in.
The elegance of the plot is that almost everyone - from the overly indulged wife of a wealthy and powerful man to the president himself and TV audiences use Chance as a mirror for their own hopes and beliefs.
Despite the comedy there is a sad thread that runs through the movie speaking to the human ... Read More
Rating: 
- Disappointed
I received the DVDabout 10-14 days after I ordered it, and towards the end it was not working. I'm trying to get a refund or replaced, but they are very slow.....
Rating: - The Story of Barack Obama
Maybe. Time will tell. But more importantly, this is one of the best films of the past thirty years, with a flawless performance by the late great Peter Sellers as Chance the gardener, an elegant, polite gentleman who woos the elite in Washington, all of them blind to the fact that poor Chance is a sheltered simpleton who looks good on camera but hasn't the foggiest clue what's going on around him. He likes to watch tv. That's about it. Out on the streets for the first time in his fiftysomething years, ... Read More
- Being There is a ClassicExcellent! Peter Sellers is funnier than you know what. Great acting with lots of deadpan humor and play on words/metaphors! This DVD is even more entertaining with its "outtake" clips of him totally cracking up while trying to say certain lines with a straight face.
- I've been looking for this---I believe this is the last movie Peter Sellers made before he passed away.I had purchased it in the VHS format many years ago & have been looking to see if it was available in DVD.What a classic!The story reveals an odd look at a world groping for answers (much like today).You'll enjoy watching it again & again.
- Rise of the empty manA highly recommended movie and by far the best film Peter Sellars ever made. In my opinion he should have won and Oscar for it.Being There truly reflects the times we live in.
The elegance of the plot is that almost everyone - from the overly indulged wife of a wealthy and powerful man to the president himself and TV audiences use Chance as a mirror for their own hopes and beliefs.
Despite the comedy there is a sad thread that runs through the movie speaking to the human ... Read More
- DisappointedI received the DVDabout 10-14 days after I ordered it, and towards the end it was not working. I'm trying to get a refund or replaced, but they are very slow.....
- The Story of Barack ObamaMaybe. Time will tell. But more importantly, this is one of the best films of the past thirty years, with a flawless performance by the late great Peter Sellers as Chance the gardener, an elegant, polite gentleman who woos the elite in Washington, all of them blind to the fact that poor Chance is a sheltered simpleton who looks good on camera but hasn't the foggiest clue what's going on around him. He likes to watch tv. That's about it. Out on the streets for the first time in his fiftysomething years, ... Read More
