Long before Forrest Gump there was another simple man who changed the world he lived in. Not by design of course but by simply being there. Written by Jerzy Kozinski from his own novel and beautifully directed by Hal Ashby "Being There" tells the story of Chance, a simpleton gardener who has never been allowed out of the house in which he has lived in and worked for all his life. When the "old man" who owns the house passes away, Chance is then forced to leave and face the outside world where his innocence and simplicity are mistaken for financial savvy and wisdom with a penchant for gardening metaphors.
Hal Ashby, one of the most underestimated director of the New Hollywood period delivered in its tail end (1979) this little gem which I watched, caught between bouts of laughter and consternation; each and every single cringe induced not by Chance but the inability of the people who meet him to see the man for what he truly is. Chance never claims (quite literally) to be anything is not and only people's assumptions propel this film from one absurdity to the next, and in the midst of all this, Chance strolls along, innocent, detached and somewhat weightless, to a quiet conclusion where the world keeps on guessing and plotting.
And so, Hal Ashby pokes gentle fun at the establishment through his characters' delusions and, for some, the frenzy they get themselves into but he and Kozinski never let any political stance overshadow a story which in nature is both heart-warming and melancholic. What the film boils down to is however jaded and so-called sophisticated people are, in their heart of hardened hearts, they all are ultimately attracted, in some way or the other, to the simplicity, the kindness and the innocence of Chance the gardener.
Needless to say Peter Sellers' performance is absolutely incredible given the fact that it is so subdued, delicate and seemingly effortless. This was his last performance and it is truly the stuff of legend. Shirley McLaine is equally amazing in her comedic timing as a wife soon to be widow finding solace and romance in Chance's soft approach to life in general.
In the end, this is both an emotional comedy and a light-hearted drama. This defies labels. This is a work of sheer brilliance from Hal Ashby, and an astounding conclusion to Peter Sellers' incredible career.
Hal Ashby, one of the most underestimated director of the New Hollywood period delivered in its tail end (1979) this little gem which I watched, caught between bouts of laughter and consternation; each and every single cringe induced not by Chance but the inability of the people who meet him to see the man for what he truly is. Chance never claims (quite literally) to be anything is not and only people's assumptions propel this film from one absurdity to the next, and in the midst of all this, Chance strolls along, innocent, detached and somewhat weightless, to a quiet conclusion where the world keeps on guessing and plotting.
And so, Hal Ashby pokes gentle fun at the establishment through his characters' delusions and, for some, the frenzy they get themselves into but he and Kozinski never let any political stance overshadow a story which in nature is both heart-warming and melancholic. What the film boils down to is however jaded and so-called sophisticated people are, in their heart of hardened hearts, they all are ultimately attracted, in some way or the other, to the simplicity, the kindness and the innocence of Chance the gardener.
Needless to say Peter Sellers' performance is absolutely incredible given the fact that it is so subdued, delicate and seemingly effortless. This was his last performance and it is truly the stuff of legend. Shirley McLaine is equally amazing in her comedic timing as a wife soon to be widow finding solace and romance in Chance's soft approach to life in general.
In the end, this is both an emotional comedy and a light-hearted drama. This defies labels. This is a work of sheer brilliance from Hal Ashby, and an astounding conclusion to Peter Sellers' incredible career.