Being There

Being There (1979)

  • 95% of critics liked it
    (41 reviews)

  • 91% of users liked it
    (21,845 ratings)

Having lived his life as the gardener on a millionaire's estate, Chance (Peter Sellers) knows of the real world only what he has seen on TV. When his benefactor dies, Chance walks aimlessly into the streets of Washington D.C., where he is struck by a car owned by wealthy Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine).… More

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PG, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By
Hal Ashby
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 19, 1979 Wide
On DVD
Apr 3, 2001
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    A highly unusual and an unusually fine film.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    No one seems to know what to do with the allegorical undertone of Jerzy Kosinski's script, but as a whole this 1979 film maintains a fine level of wit, sophistication, and insight.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    Hal Ashby directs Being There at an unruffled, elegant pace, the better to let Mr. Sellers's double-edged mannerisms make their full impression upon the audience.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Satire is a threatened species in American film, and when it does occur, it's usually broad and slapstick, as in the Mel Brooks films. Being There, directed by Hal Ashby, is a rare and subtle bird that finds its tone and stays with it.

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Peter Sellers gives a stellar performance.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Chris W


    Chance has spent his entire life working as a gardener for a millionaire. He has never left the estate. never been for a ride in a car, and all he knows of the outside world is what he has seen on television. That's all he does when not gardening- watch tv. When his benefactor… More

  • Adriel L


    Innocence, subtlety and a heartful of mirth substantiate this unique movie. Here is an insight unto life and its wonderful, simple truths, despite all the insipidity of modern humanity. For all the movies that only showed me something, this one actually taught me something.

  • Tim S


    Another masterful performance from Peter Sellers and another wonderful film from the great Hal Ashby. Incredibly funny, insighful and captivating, Being There is a marvelously sweet picture...and the last of Peter Sellers' career.

  • Jacob E


    THIS is Peter Seller's best role, not necessarily his best film. He was in many funny movies, but this was more a serious comedy. I can't really say anything beyond that because this is definitely worth giving a look for the conclusion. A couple words of warning though, it… More

  • AJ V


    I had always heard good things about this movie, but seeing it, I wasn't too impressed. Sure the actors do a good job, but the story is slow and not that great. It's okay, but I didn't care for it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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