"Passion. Obsession. Revenge. Prepare for the performance of a lifetime." Based on the Somerset Maugham novel "Theatre", set in late 1930's London, "Being Julia" is an over-the-top tale of passion and revenge with an ending that left me in a state of disbelief and delight. As diva and stage actress Julia Lambert, Bening gives her all in a performance that reminds me of Bette Davis' tour de force turn in "All About Eve". The best part and the main reason to see "Being Julia" is Annette Bening, and she is why the film works. But unlike Margo Channing in "All About Eve", Julia Lambert is not a particularly sympathetic character, but Bening has the audience rooting for her as the tension builds with the ever-increasing complexities of the characters' personal lives.
I like Annette Bening anyway; from my favorite performances of hers in films such as "The Grifters", "Mars Attacks" and "American Beauty", she's proved that she's a wonderful, versatile actress, and a striking woman who looks as if she's had nothing done to her face...she looks her age, and is gorgeous; she gets even more beautiful with age. It's so nice to see actresses over the age of 30 whose facial features can actually still move! With a great supporting cast including Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon, Juliet Stevenson, Bruce Greenwood, and relative newcomer Shaun Evans, "Being Julia" is a highly entertaining, satisfying, and riveting film that will keep you watching every second on the merits of great dialogue and performances, in a day and age when flash and special effects seem to be the more popular fare.
I like Annette Bening anyway; from my favorite performances of hers in films such as "The Grifters", "Mars Attacks" and "American Beauty", she's proved that she's a wonderful, versatile actress, and a striking woman who looks as if she's had nothing done to her face...she looks her age, and is gorgeous; she gets even more beautiful with age. It's so nice to see actresses over the age of 30 whose facial features can actually still move! With a great supporting cast including Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon, Juliet Stevenson, Bruce Greenwood, and relative newcomer Shaun Evans, "Being Julia" is a highly entertaining, satisfying, and riveting film that will keep you watching every second on the merits of great dialogue and performances, in a day and age when flash and special effects seem to be the more popular fare.