Being There (1979) User Reviews (372)

"As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden."

[ackstasis · 8/10 · 27 April 2007]

It truly does shame me to admit that, coming into this film, I had only ever seen one movie with Peter Sellers – and that was his extraordinary three-role performance in Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr Strangelove, or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.' Having now also seen 'Being There,' Sellers' second-to-last film, I am convinced that I'll be seeing a lot more of his work in the near future. Though it is not, in fact, Sellers' final film, 'Being There' is often described as the comedy star's swan song, since the last film before his 1980 death, 'The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu,' was generally poorly-received

'Being There' traces the story of Chance (Sellers), a simple-minded gardener for a wealthy old man. For as far back as he can remember, Chance has made his home at the old man's house, spending his time tending to the roses and the other flowers. The maid, Louise, looks after all his needs. He has never left the house, and he has never travelled in an automobile. Everything he knows about the outside world has come from television, and, whenever he is not gardening, he simply "likes to watch." However, when the old man dies, Louise leaves the house, and Chance is left to fend for himself.

Chance's absent-minded wanderings about a city he doesn't understand ultimately lead him to the home of wealthy but terminally-ill private citizen Benjamin Turnbull Rand (Melvyn Douglas) and his younger wife Eve (Shirley MacLaine). Chance's spluttered self-introduction of "Chance the gardener" gives him the prestigious title of "Chauncey Gardiner," and his quiet-spoken nature is mistaken for wisdom. During a visit by the President of the United States (Jack Warden), his simple gardening anecdotes are interpreted as discerning metaphors of the current state of the nation's economy. "In the garden, growth has it seasons," Chance explains. "First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again."

When the President quotes Chance's wise words in an address to the nation, he becomes something of a celebrity, even appearing on television himself, where he expresses the need for a capable "gardener" to tend to the country's needs. Despite his high-profile, the FBI and the CIA are completely baffled as to how they could have absolutely no background information on "Mr. Gardiner," and they bicker about how only a cleverly-trained secret agent could keep such a ghostly past. Only one man, Benjamin Rand's doctor (Richard A. Dysart), begins to suspect the truth behind Chance's simple-spoken demeanour, though he keeps his suspicions quiet when he realises what a profound positive effect Chance has on those around him. The dying Benjamin Rand is given the strength to pass peacefully into death, and his wife Eve is given somebody who would stay with her in her most painful hours.

The very final shot of the film has evoked countless heated discussions since the film's original release. What could possibly be the meaning of Chance walking on the surface of the lake? It is quite obviously a Biblical reference to Christ, but what does it mean? Is Chance the saviour that so many of the film's troubled characters have been searching for? Does the man's simple innocence, uncorrupted and unbiased, offer him a certain grace? Is Chance able to walk on water simply because nobody has told him that he cannot? Or, perhaps there is a more prosaic explanation. It is not inconceivable that there are stepping stones hidden just beneath the surface of the water, and, as it had served him well countless times before, could sheer chance simply have prevented his falling into the lake?

'Being There' is a thought-provoking film, and also a clever satire of American politics and the media. Sellers is brilliant as Chance the gardener; though his character remains pretty much the same throughout, with very little personal development at all, Sellers' performance never loses steam. A strong supporting cast helps make an somewhat improbable premise almost believable, and I was particularly impressed with Melvyn Douglas as Benjamin Rand, and, indeed, he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance. This is an enchanting film, and very much worth watching.

A Masterpiece

[DanB-4 · 9/10 · 12 December 2003]

"To see me as a person on screen would be one of the dullest experiences you could ever wish to experience" - quote from Peter Sellers.

Peter Sellers had many quotes like this in which he spoke of his near self-hatred, hated seeing himself, and that when he was not doing comedy, he was dull and unfunny. That makes his portrayal of Chauncey Gardner that much more amazing, because he portrays a very simple man totally comfortable within himself.

Being There is a great film. It deals with a simple premise - if you act in a certain way, people will make unquestioned assumptions about you. Chauncy is slow witted and has the mind of small child, and all that he knows in gardening. However, he dresses in nice suits, has impeccable manners and is not shy, so he is accepted into social circles. When he speaks of gardening, his ramblings are mistaken for metaphors and he is instantly considered an economic genius.

This is wrapped around a beautiful film, in which Chauncey wanders from one circumstance into another, never changing his demeanor, never faltering. I an reminded of Mr Magoo walking blindly down a succession of steel girders thinking they are stairs. Essentially, he is not in peril because he does not know he is in peril. The charm of this film exists in Chauncey's unwavering personality, and how it affects the world of phonies and bureaucrats he has come to inhabit.

Although the film sometimes comes across as forced, and some of the encounters with Eve (Shirley MacLaine) come off forced, the film is still a masterpiece. Its theme and Sellers' stunning performance lauch it into the catoegory of greatness.

There is much debate amongst the lovers of this film over its final scene. If you have not seen it, rent it, and draw your conclusions. Like many great movies steeped in mood and metaphor, we are left to draw our own conclusions.

The phrase "I like to watch" has become so famous from this movie - it refers to Chauncey's love for TV and the fact that it is his reference point for his existance. (Such has when he tries to click a remote to thwart off muggers). But there is a great deal more to Being There. It is a Top 10 Selection of 70s, Hal Ashby's best film and Peter Sellers greatest performance. **** out of ****.

This is an astonishing film

[steve-1297 · 9/10 · 5 December 2004]

WARNING: SPOILERS! This is an astonishing film. I sat through 'Being There' chuckling at Seller's wonderful 'Zen-like' performance, enjoying its gently satirical look at the vacuous nature of political debate, safe in the knowledge that I was in on the joke: Chance is an idiot but the real idiots are almost everyone else in the film who see profundity when they're given pap.

And then, in a scene that completely flips the film on its head, Chance walks on water! That scene is the cinematographic equivalent of staring at one of those stereograms when the hidden 3D image suddenly leaps out at you. It's a shocking moment, beautifully handled, and you're immediately forced to question everything you've seen in the film and your assumptions about it: why does Chance have no concept of time? Is it because an eternal being wouldn't need one? When Eve makes a pass at Chance is he being tempted by, and tested against, original sin? Was the Washington Cop who, we assume, is calling in a report of a simpleton on the loose, actually compelled to do exactly what Chance told him to do? Does Chance speak Russian? How? Is this because all the tongues of man are as one to him? Does Chance have the power to decide when the time is right for Ben to die? Did the 'old man' meet a similar fate, and does Chance lay his hand on the old man's forehead to see if he is cold or to bless him?

If we accept that Chance has indeed revealed his divinity to us then the whole film flips once more and takes on a far darker aspect. Is the decline in the Presidents powers linked to the rise of Chance? Is his TV broadcast the modern equivalent of the 'sermon on the mount'? And, crucially, is all his talk of gardening a chilling metaphor for the immanent fate of mankind?

A shepherd might be content to tend his flock, but Chance is a gardener, and he might have a great deal of pruning and weeding to do before Eden – his garden - is restored to its former glory. A great film that fully deserves its high ranking. 9/10.

Quietly Demonstrates What an Enormous Talent Peter Sellers Was.

[tfrizzell · 7 July 2002]

The original "Forrest Gump" came out in 1979 when Hal Ashby's "Being There" was first released. A quietly brilliant, hilarious, heart-wrenching and heart-warming motion picture that showed how great Peter Sellers (Oscar-nominated) was and how limitless his range was. He stars as a gardener at an old mansion in Washington, D.C. who has never been outside of the owner's small piece of property. When the owner dies, he has to leave the only home he has ever known. Sellers has no knowledge of anything except what he sees on television and he has a strange sort of child-like innocence that endears him to all he comes into contact with. After a minor accident, Sellers is taken to the home of a ridiculously wealthy political lobbyist (Melvyn Douglas in his second Oscar-winning performance) who is literally being kept alive as he has a rare form of cancer. Douglas immediately takes a liking to Sellers and so does his much-younger wife (Shirley MacLaine). Sellers is now in the spotlight though as he gets to meet the president (Jack Warden) and slowly starts to gain popularity and political support from those around him. Of course Sellers does not realize any of this as his understanding of such things are beyond his somewhat limited mental capabilities. A simply brilliant film that is carried by Sellers' amazing personal best performance. Everyone else is adequate, but this is Sellers' show. Douglas won the Oscar mainly due to sympathy votes, but surprisingly Sellers would die before Douglas as he passed away less than six months after receiving his Oscar nod of a massive heart attack. As good as Dustin Hoffman was in "Kramer vs. Kramer", I still wish that Sellers would have won the Oscar for this role which is one of the finest performances ever throughout the entire history of the cinema. 5 stars out of 5.

A Gift....

[juliano66 · 10/10 · 31 January 2005]

Even as a kid I loved this movie and upon seeing it again as an adult I found much to re appreciate in this marvelous sleeper of a film. Sellers is in top form as are the supporting cast--the shear farce of it all makes the improbable seem probable--and as a vehicle for political/social commentary it ranks as one of the best dark comedies ever made. The inclusion of all the 70's TV clips make Being There an invaluable period piece and provide the film with some of it's funniest scenes. The movie also provides an interesting portrayal of the trappings of the super wealthy and it's portrayal of the workings of power and money are reminiscent of some of Kubrick's better work. Check out the all seeing eye of the Illuminati on the apex of the pyramid of "Rand's" mausoleum during the funeral scene. Pretty powerful stuff--makes Being There all the more an important and revealing work--as well as spiritual. Like the protagonist, Chauncey Gardner, there's something about this film that makes you feel better about life and , yeah, even about death. Kosinski's, Ashby's and Seller's gift to us all.

The Great Peter Sellers

[caspian1978 · 8/10 · 2 June 2004]

Peter Sellers should have taken home the Academy Award for his role in Being There. A lifetime of comedies behind him, Sellers ended his career as an actor and a comic legend with this classic. Hard to believe that this was made over 20 years ago, it is still as funny as ever. Since then, no other comedian has captured the raw talent of comedy that Sellers could create. The silent comedy and the physical comedy that Sellers made was not only timeless but funnier than most of the comedy we see in film today. Second to maybe his role in Lolita and in the Pink Panther series, Sellers is not only funny, but gives his best performance in Being There. A terrific story with interesting and real characters, Being There is a delight.

Peter Sellers's Amazing Final Season

[littlemartinarocena · 10/10 · 1 May 2007]

Like most of Hal Ashby's films, there is a clarity of look and narrative that makes the film immediately compelling. Like Ruth Gordon in "Harold and Maude" Peter Sellers as Chance the Gardner tells us a few truths that stand at the center as well as quite outside the box of our daily lives. Obvious and unique. Contradictions co-existing in perfect harmony. Peter Sellers is superb, without ever betraying the grayness of his existence. It took me a while, I must confess, to settle in. I had seen the Goeffry Rush film about Sellers's life and it implied an effort to take those thoughts and images out of my mind and allow Chancey, without Sellers, to take me away. He did, he took me away completely. What a remarkable piece of acting. A special mention should go to Melvyn Douglas as well. Moving and powerful at the end of a legendary career. Highly recommended.

a biting black comedy of a detached character in a particular state of mind

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 24 March 2007]

Being There will get you thinking about what it means to be taken in by television, as well as the government, and the better (or lesser) intentions of people in power, and works on more than one level. It's a pure slice of oddball life, the story of a man who got more than likely tucked away into some kind of perfunctory manner by the only things in life with any significance being television and gardening. No more or less. How does one end up living out in the world, however, if this is all there is for the span of a long life?

Jerzy Kosinski's idea is to place this fragmented, polite but assuredly clueless fellow where double standards rule the day. He meets a businessman after a limo accident, and by his outward appearance seeming to fit a certain mold he takes him in. The man is connected in his dealings, all the way up to the president, as an adviser. All Chance (Peter Sellers) can do is say what he knows- not only does he not know lies or how to lie, he's been sort of conditioned, in a way, to not fully comprehend good and evil either. But his words carry meaning, somehow, and he becomes a celebrity all the while not really connected to what's going on. Rarely before has detachment and the subtleties of the human condition been this engaging.

There are three major factors for this, which is the control of wit and truth in the screenplay by Kosinski, who won't go for the cheapest laughs or too mocking in satirical form, but in the moments of dead-pan exchange and the bluntness of Chance's character. Sellers, of course, is at the very top of his game, and that's a first factor, along with the rest of the excellent cast (MacClaine is maybe at her best, as I've not seen too much that wowed me until now; Douglass gives a compassionate performance that speaks to the issue of illness and the end of existence; Warden is surprisingly adept at playing a flabbergasted, weak-willed president).

He leads it as if going for something that seems like it shouldn't be interesting. It's a guy who doesn't really have much expression, aside from some bits of joy, like meeting the president, or in becoming (somewhat) part of MacClaine's character's love-life, or in seeing someone die. But even then it's a muted, half-way expression, and the repression that Sellers makes real here is staggering. The term 'comfortably numb' popped in my head once or twice regarding Chance the gardener, and Sellers makes this as real as possible, and sometimes as funny as possible, but for the most part it's his most mature work where there isn't any cheating- what you see, with his mind transmogrified by TV forever- is what you get.

Ashby, meanwhile, makes this a very successfully directed film by putting a tone to the picture that is not really like the Chance character because you want to see where he goes next. He'll put in a sequence that is hysterically funny, like when Chance is in the limo watching the Cheech and Chong bit Basketball Jones, or in Chance's reaction to pure sexual advances from MacClaine, or in several little things. But he also makes it on a bedrock of a level of plausibility, at least in some part. It's doubtful if a man would have this sort of effect on a mass public, once appearing in public anyway, and have his words 100% to heart, because there would be over-analysis and eventually a crack in the whole character's intent that gardening tactics are universal.

And yet it's even more plausible, however, to see what effect words do have when taken out of context AS the context, and how perceptions in America create more than what one might bargain for, and eventually become a mantra of sorts. That Chance also is quite a dim fellow- not a dimwit exactly, he's not necessarily stupid- brings some extra resonance in the political swamp of today.

Ashby times all of this as though he were certain when to just let the everyday come in as something more. He puts in great musical choices, and a few very memorable images (I loved the shot of Chance walking on the middle-road to the Capital building), and crowns it with a screenplay that doesn't, unlike TV for Chance, take things too simple. Not that there isn't almost a silent-film whimsy to this all, but there's so much to Being There that it will stick with you for many days afterwords.

An amusing anecdote that goes on a little too long

[cricketbat · 6/10 · 12 May 2021]

Being There is an amusing anecdote that goes on a little too long. Yes, we understand that people mistake Chance's simple-mindedness for genius, but do we really need to show that for over two hours? This deliberately slow-paced story received a lot of praise, and while Peter Seller's performance is engaging & unique, I didn't find this film to be quite as brilliant as others perceive it to be.

Sellers deserves the Oscar not hanks,

[skippymolloy · 10/10 · 9 December 2004]

When I first saw Being There I was all of 10 years old, and for some reason, I loved it. And yet I could never exactly say why. Several years latter while looking for another movie, I happen across this video and read the review. Chance Gardner played charmingly by Peter Sellers, ( I think that is what the reviewer wrote) stumbles his way into the upper crest where he is mistaken for someone with deep knowledge of the world. Other reviews point out this movie is cynical characterization of self absorbed people in politics and media. As a kid I didn't get that, and now on further reflection what I liked about this movie was how these people where drawn to Chances innocence. In some ways Forrest Gump tried to attempt to tell this story line, but only manages to rehash old stereotypes. Being There depicts in clever, real characters who use a veil of politeness to cover up a cynicisim they have of their world and their own power. But for a kid and maybe why it has a cult following is because the heart of the show, whats addicting about is no matter how self absorbed we become, our best nature is drawn to a simple life, absent of complications. After watching the movie again, the dark comedy is more apparent, but I am happy to say that in the "Life and death of Peter Sellers", Sellers himself interpreted the character as I thought of it when I was kid. Gardner is a man who is sublimely content with no past and no future, and therefore no worries. As a kid I kind of new that as innocence. So if you rent this movie don't just see it as a black comedy, but also see it how a kid might, and for that matter how Peter Sellers saw it.

Political simpletons are always the best.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 29 October 2008]

Being There is a tough sell to a first time viewer, incredibly slow and surprisingly sad, it's a film that is thought of quite high yet very rarely mentioned. The story sees a simple minded gardener called Chance forced to go it alone in the big wide world after working and living at the same estate all his life, his employer has passed away, and all looks bleak until he is involved in a minor accident.In the car that hit his leg is the kindly Eve Rand, taking him home to the family estate for treatment, Eve and her ill husband, Ben, take him to their hearts, and pretty soon Chance's dry and simple speakings are being taken out of context and thought of as deeply profound political and world observations.

That's about all you need to know as regards the plot, it's a wonderfully scripted tale about the infinite wisdom of a simpleton who is, lets face it, oblivious to the world around him. The writing is excellent from Jerzy Kosinski (his novel as well) with the capable direction from Hal Ashby benefiting from sumptuous photography courtesy of Caleb Deschanel. But it's with the cast that Being There most triumphs, Peter Sellers had actively pursued the project for many years, and his wait was worth it for he turns in a performance unlike anything he had done before, definitely a career high as he holds all in the palm of his hand as the intriguingly sad protagonist, Chance. He unluckily lost out to Dustin Hoffman (Kramer Vs Kramer) for the best actor Oscar. Shirley MacLaine is marvellous as the sex starved Eve Rand, while Melvyn Douglas bagged the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of the fading away Benjamin Rand.

So technically the film is spot on, and it's thematic heart is one to be involved with on a basic emotional level, yet you just get a sense of being bogged down entering the final quarter, the feeling that this should have been cut down to a 110 minute movie maximum. It's highly recommended cinema for those serious about the structure side of the craft, whilst those in need of a simpleton fable are certainly well catered for, and thankfully it's memorable for all the right reasons. 7/10

Stellar Sellers

[vasser · 10/10 · 22 November 2004]

Melvyn Douglas as Ben Rand and Shirley MacLaine as Eve Rand were only two examples of the great casting in this film. The best casting of course was to place Peter Sellers in the role of Chauncey "Chance" Gardener. I have watched this film many times and each time I see something else to enjoy in Peter Sellers' performance along with something else to mourn for his passing. In "Being There" Sellers abandons the crowd pleasing slapstick which attracted the droves for the "Pink Panther" series to offer a far more sincere performance that to me is flawlessly in-character and ultimately believable. I am constantly debating with myself whether "Dr. Strangelove" or "Being There" was Sellers' best work. "Being There" is very enjoyable and I never seem to get tired of it. Apart from Sellers standout performance, "Being There" from every angle is an extremely well made film that holds up well to remain engaging 25 years later and is no doubt a source of pride for all involved in any regard. In short, this is a movie that, "I like to watch!"

I like to watch

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 21 October 2016]

Director Hal Ashby looked like an unlikely guy to be hitting the heights of 1970s counterculture cinema but he somehow managed it.

Being There were the last major work from him as director. It was almost the last film from Peter Seller's who gives an Oscar nominated performance. He died a few months after the film's release.

Seller's plays Chance a simple minded middle aged gardener in a rich man's townhouse in Washington. He cannot read or write, the maid fed him and looked after him. When the wealthy benefactor dies he is turfed out on to the streets. We have no idea how he came into this household. He could had been the old man's son or some stray who he just took care of. He tended the garden, watched television and no provision for his well being was made after the old man's death.

After wandering the streets aimlessly Chance is accidentally hit by a limousine carrying Eve (Shirley Maclaine) who takes him home to be examined by their doctor who is already looking after her wealthy dying husband Ben (Melvyn Douglas.)

Impressed by his wardrobe, which is basically his master's vintage clothes they come to realise that he is someone down on his luck, a businessman brought low in hard times and ask him to stay at the house.

Chance is a man of few words, he likes to watch television. The only thing he knows about is gardening. After talking to the President who is visiting Ben where in essence he talks about the seasons he comes across as some wise sage when the President repeats his words to the media.

His simple answers to complex problems makes him a media personality who takes it all seriously, the rest of the film is Chance being put into various potentially embarrassing positions where you think he would be found out, such as a television talk show or a reception with the high and mighty and no one suspects that he is a simpleton (although Chance might be Autistic.)

Director Hal Ashby made political films, this is a political satire and a perceptive one. This is about elites and how they get taken in by folksy charm and also dispense it to the rest of us in the most cynical way. How else can one explain the popularity of the likes of Rush Limbaugh with the right whingers. Ben when he dies is buried in a pyramid like tomb with an eye. A symbol of the Illuminati I believe.

Sellers is spot on as Chance, he plays his character with one note, but it is the right note. None of the over the top histrionics he was known for in his comedy parts. I am glad that he went out on a high. However director Hal Ashby should not be forgotten for crafting a simple but intelligent film.

I Wish I Hadn't Been There

[disinterested_spectator · 2/10 · 9 March 2015]

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who think this movie is funny and those who do not. They should probably not be friends, and they definitely should not marry each other. The gulf between them is just too immense to be bridged.

It is worse than that. Those of us who do not think this movie is funny can barely stand to watch it. The movie consists of one joke, of which there are countless variations. A man who is mentally retarded is mistaken by everyone he meets as being important, wise, clever, funny, romantic, etc., depending on the circumstances. But this one joke is not funny, not even in the first instance. In fact, it is irritating.

And it is still worse. Not only are there people out there who think this movie is funny, but many of them also think that it tells us something profound about human nature. But the human nature in this movie has no connection to reality. It is obvious to us from the very beginning that Chance is a simpleton, and that means everyone else in the movie has to be something of a simpleton too not to realize it.

And because the movie hits us over the head by having Chance walk on water, I guess we are supposed to discern a spiritual message as well. I hate to think what that message might be.

A well-kept secret

[healym · 5 September 2000]

This film is an absolute jewel. The main character, played by Peter Sellers, is the exact opposite of the film itself. Chauncey/Chance is simple, vapid, unconcerned and utterly unselfconscious, yet he radiates an image of being ponderous, calculating, and complex. The film is deceptively straightforward and uncomplicated on the surface, but is rich and complex upon reflection. The film is very enigmatic (even the title seems to make no sense, even though it seems like it should) and lends itself to interpretation. This is one of those films that you have to talk about after seeing it, and you'll find endless points of view to consider. More than that, however, this film is historically fascinating. Taken as a whole, the movie, the book, the behind the scenes intrigue, the place it holds in the careers of the Stars, the writers and the directors, makes this an exceptionally interesting and enjoyable film.

Life Is A State of Mind...

[wbenton-2 · 10/10 · 1 March 2005]

This film obviously means different things to different people. Some people that I know personally can't get through the first 10 minutes without being bored.

However, "Being There" is my favorite movie ever.

There isn't much I can say that hasn't been said before about this movie. But here we go...

Peter Sellers' performance as Chance the gardener is truly a master at work. We see Tom Hanks and Dustin Hoffman do their performances as simpletons and mentally handicapped persons and they just seem like cartoon characters. Sellers' Chance is a perfect performance, balancing Chance's wonder, confusion and ignorance without ever making a cheap or obvious joke. His timing, his facial expressions and his moments of silence maintains a wonderful and memorable character that never loses his substance. Sellers keeps his game face of near blankness without ever collapsing into cinematic clichés in this area.

I have read a few reviews of this film and I am always amazed that no one ever mentions the tears in Chance's eyes when Ben passes. Am I dreaming when I see them? Tears in his eyes is a hint that Chance is growing; that, since the passing of "the old man" where Chance was literally numb to grief, he suddenly is struck with emotion. God I love that.

Peter Sellers and Shirley McClain(sp?) together on screen remains one of the most beautiful on-screen couples I think. The class, the sensuality and the simple beauty between them makes them so very charming. Even with Sellers' failing health they both look very beautiful together.

And the ending. Again, many different ideas on what it means, if anything. Personally...I think it shows that Chance is not subject to many things in this life just because of his isolation from so much of it and his simple ignorance to these very basic realities. Maybe it just shows that he is a kind heart and nothing can defeat him? I dunno.

I have tried to write something a little different here on my first review. Maybe I'll get better at it eventually.

Sellers a work of Art.

[tbonea28 · 8/10 · 13 December 2003]

Being There is a film about a simple and mildly retarded gardener, played by Peter Sellers who's entire adult life was gardening for an elderly gentleman and watching television. When the old man dies, Chancey is left homeless and on his own. Due to his past recluse surroundings he is unaware of the every day technology, such as telephone, elevators etc., which leads to some comical situations. He is saved from the streets, by a wealthy woman, Eve Rand, played by Shirley MacLean. When her limo backs into him she takes him home to be treated by her dying husbands physician Dr Allenby played by Richard Dysort. Everyone mistakes Chancey's simple mutterings as profound insight and wisdom. Benjamin Rand played by Melvin Douglas is a wealthy influential business tycoon who is well connected in politics and a personal friend of the President, played by Jack Warden. They also mistake the simple utterance's as insightful.

Although the film is comical at times, it is also very sad, as Chancey lacks awareness of what's going on around him most of the time. He has no reaction, even when Eve Rand, tries to seduce him, which is one of the many humourous scenes.

The filming and directing is good and the film moves along with a good pace, and is very entertaining and a must see for all Peter Sellers fans. Once again Sellers shows the incredible talent, that he was so well known for.

Far Before "Forrest Gump" .., Chauncey Gardner

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 26 March 2009]

The slow and illiterate gardener Chance (Peter Sellers) has spent all his life inside the house of Mr. Jennings in a poor area of Washington D.C. His only contact with the outside world was through television. When Mr. Jennings dies, the house is shut-down by the family lawyer and Chance is forced to leave the place. While wandering on the streets, a limousine hits his leg and the owner, Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine), invites him to go to her house to be treated by her husband's doctor and avoid any trouble in the hospital. She misunderstands his name and calls him Chauncey Gardner. When the simple Chance is introduced to her husband, Benjamin Rand (Melvyn Douglas), that is terminally ill with anemia, he becomes his friend and Ben interprets his wordings as metaphoric, transforming Chance in adviser of President Bobby (Jack Warden) and prominent figure in the world of economy and politics.

I must confess that this is the first time that I watch "Being There" and my first thought was that "Forrest Gump" is visibly inspired in this movie. Peter Sellers is once again fantastic in the role of a man that does not know that he does not know and therefore is capable to achieve everything. The forty-five years old Shirley MacLaine is still an extremely beautiful and seductive woman in this film. Melvyn Douglas has a top-notch performance in this movie, unfortunately one of his last movies. Jack Warden is hilarious in the role of an annoying president. The situations are surrealistic but seem to be realistic, and indeed it is a great joke with politicians and their cynical world. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Muito Além do Jardim" ("Far Beyond the Garden")

A great work from two great men

[hellomynameishenry · 9/10 · 27 January 2005]

On the face of it, this was always going to be a cinematic treat. Hal Ashby, who in my opinion had the greatest sense of humour in Hollywood directing Peter Sellers, one of the finest comic actors of all time.

What i didn't expect was an excellent supporting cast with superb performances from Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas and a watertight script from Kosinski. What gave me the biggest pleasure was Ashby's subtle portrayal of his own politics. Sellers' character's rise and rise is set against, in the beginning at least, images of the socially deprived. In most of Ashby's films there is a strong sense of the anti-establishment but what is brilliant in this movie is that Ashby gets inside the establishment to ridicule it and yet at the same time bring across a strong sense of humanity in the richer character's isolation and loneliness.

Politics or not Ashby's perfect pacing bring the best out of Sellers whose film career, Strangelove aside, was hit and miss. This movie is definitely a hit from the most underrated film director Hollywood has ever had the arrogance to forget to miss.

Touching performance

[Mort-31 · 7/10 · 6 February 2001]

What makes this film interesting is not as much the satirical view on the media society of today as the mysterious character of Chance the gardener and the way Peter Sellers interprets it. The strange thing is that we never learn who his mother and father are and how he happened to be in his bosses garden all his life. We're just given the assumption that he never saw the world except through television. This is hard to believe but Peter Sellers' performance makes us forget about logic. He manages a stunning mix of being a wise old man and a mentally retarded child. Scenes where he tries to convert his TV experiences into reality or thinks he can just switch the channel in an unpleasant situation are cute on the one hand and hurt a little on the other.

The film lives because of Sellers and because of the secrets around him. There is a comical effect through the fact that Chance is kind of an elderly Kaspar Hauser but wears the best evening clothes from the best tailors. The story itself is not too convincing, unfortunately. The ending may seem disappointing at first sight, but in reality it's consequent. The film ends like it begins: with open questions.

terrific but apparently not for every taste

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 3 July 2005]

As stated above, I am very surprised this movie is ranked so highly. This is not because I didn't like it--I ADORED this movie. It's just that I got so many people to watch it with me over the years and only one other person who watched it with me loved it. Several friends and my wife were completely ambivalent towards it. Comments like "I guess it was pretty good" or "it's too strange" were repeated again and again.

So why do I think it's brilliant. First, it APPEARS so magnificent because it is a sharp contrast to the BAD movies Peter Sellers made towards the end of his short life. It's like an oasis among the dreck. Second, although some might discount it, his completely flat emotional output as the character Chauncy Gardner took a lot of talent and patience. I can really respect that. Third, the movie tries to be different--and I think I'd rather see a movie that dares to be different and fails than one that is a blockbuster. Fourth, the comedy is VERY subdued and underplayed--you need to pay attention and think to enjoy all the laughs--they aren't spelled out for you like most comedies.

Not quite as great as it could have been

[James_Take2 · 7/10 · 14 July 2021]

Being There ticks a lot of boxes. It's a good film, very good in parts but over the decades it has gathered a lot of sentiment and cult status that has elevated it beyond what it actually is - a sequence of humourous misunderstandings.

The premise of the film makes it engaging, in that you want to know how things turn out for the simple minded Chance the gardener. However the movie sags a little in its 2 hours due to the predictable one dimensional plot with most scenes ending with the gormless expression of the leading character. This is where Sellers genius could have been more utilized. For example, throughout the film he is seen copying actions and behaviour from people on TV, just imagine how good this movie could have been if he'd gone further by say mimicking voices and accents - which copiers tend to do. Sellers was of course one of cinema's greatest mimics.

There is more than a touch of Stan Laurel in Sellers performance and he is convincing but there was a lot of scope to develop the character which never materialised leaving a sense of unfulfillment.

Despite the underdevelopment of character, it is still an enjoyable watch and interesting.

One footnote, the US Government, media and corporate leaders in the film are fooled which at the time of the film would have been more amusing than it is today. Given recent history with leaders etc, people are no longer surprised or amused that fools are in powerful positions. In that sense, Being There is like being here, right now.

Top notch, Peter Sellars is outstanding

[tresdodge · 10/10 · 12 November 2004]

An illiterate gardener(Peter Sellars)is forced to leave the grand house he has always lived and worked at when his employer dies. He is driven out into the big wide world which he is ill prepared for, however, when he gets partially run over by a limousine he is taken in by a rich couple who believe him to be an exceptionally intelligent individual.

At first I could not understand why this film had got such a high rating on IMDb but after a while I became really engrossed in Peter Sellars character and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The story is a little far fetched to say the least but I think that Peter Sellars is outstanding, how he managed to act this character so well is beyond me. I think it will be even better on a second viewing, the only real complaint is that it did drag on for longer than perhaps needed. However, overall this is a really good film, acting is great, editing good and the final scene highly memorable. Go watch!

It does make you think

[randeclip-1 · 7/10 · 16 January 2006]

A society that has such a short attention span and only sees the world through the sound byte is the one shown in the film Being There. Peter Sellers uses this film as a way for us to view our society from a different perspective; the perspective of the simple minded "Chance the gardener". Even thought Peter Sellers was only the actor, he is responsible for translating what could have been a lifeless, dull character into a seemingly clever and deep individual. Chance is a half-witted gardener who has spent his entire life apart from the rest of the world tending the plants of an aging millionaire. After the death of the "old man" and the closing of the house that has been Chance's world, he is forced out into an alien society that he has only viewed from the safety of television. He is so unprepared for this new world he finds himself in that fear is not even a consideration. Through a series of accidents and misunderstandings, Chance eventually finds himself in the centers of power. Presidents and the leaders of industry come to ask him advice thinking that his explanations about gardening are some kind of deep analogy for the economy or politics. By the end of the film the "powerful" are discussing Chance as the next presidential candidate. This film asks us the question: is our society so shallow that a simpleton could be mistaken for a leader? This film is a great statement on the modern world. I do think that we as a society make so many assumptions as to believe anything. In the end Chance wanders off into a forest and we see him "walk on water". Are we being led to believe that he is of so pure as to be Christ like or just lucky to have found an unseen sandbar? The film worked for me up until this point then I find myself being forced into considering some supernatural explanation.

A One Joke Film - Sellers Is Wasted

[awiener1 · 2/10 · 3 September 2016]

I am a big fan of Peter Sellers and enjoy most of his films, and I realize that this film is highly regarded for various reasons, but it was a total misfire for me.

The film is a one-joke work that wears thin very quickly. Just as quickly, it becomes less and less credible. It becomes not so much a matter of how obtuse the Sellers character is, but how totally credulous and unbelievable the rest of the characters are. Not for one minute did I believe any of their reactions to Sellers beyond the first few encounters.

It's too bad, really, because Sellers was an amazing talent; a totally plastic actor who could literally become any of the characters he played. I will continue to enjoy most of his other work, but I could never sit through this again. It was boring and, after a while, excruciating.