Being There Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sheltered gardener leaves his house for the first time and accidentally becomes a political guru because rich people are easily impressed by vague metaphors about gardening.

🍿 Being There: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Chance

Chance, played by Peter Sellers, is a simple-minded gardener who has lived his entire life within the walls of an old man’s Washington D.C. townhouse. His world consists solely of gardening and watching television. He is completely unaware of the outside world and possesses a child-like innocence.

Chance’s Departure and Encounter with the Rands

Upon the death of his employer, Chance is forced to leave the only home he has ever known. Lost and disoriented, he wanders the streets until he’s struck by a limousine belonging to wealthy businessman Benjamin Rand (Melvyn Douglas) and his wife Eve (Shirley MacLaine). Invited into their home to recover, Chance is mistaken for a sophisticated, well-educated man named ‘Chauncey Gardiner’ due to a misunderstanding of his name and his polite demeanor.

Rise to Prominence

Chance’s simple, gardening-related comments are misinterpreted as profound insights into the economy and politics. He becomes a confidant to Rand, who is also an advisor to the President of the United States. His straightforward pronouncements resonate with those in power, leading to his sudden rise to national prominence. Chance appears on television, gains public adoration, and is considered a potential political figure, all without truly understanding the gravity of his situation or the world around him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chance (Peter Sellers): A simple-minded gardener with a limited understanding of the world, Chance is thrust into the spotlight when his naive observations are mistaken for profound wisdom.
• Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine): The wealthy and lonely wife of a dying businessman, Eve invites Chance into her home and interprets his words as insightful, developing a close, if unconventional, bond with him.
• Benjamin Rand (Melvyn Douglas): A powerful and influential but terminally ill businessman, Ben mistakes Chance’s simple statements for profound wisdom and introduces him to the highest circles of Washington politics.
• President ‘Bobby’ (Jack Warden): The President of the United States, seeking guidance and approval, relies on Ben Rand’s advice and is impressed by Chance’s supposed insights, furthering Chance’s rise to prominence.
• Dr. Robert Allenby (Richard Dysart): Ben Rand’s doctor, suspicious of Chance’s true nature, investigates his background and uncovers the truth about his simple-mindedness, but ultimately chooses to protect Ben’s peace of mind.
• Louise (Ruth Attaway): The maid who cared for Chance, Louise is the only one besides the old man who knew him before his rise to fame, recognizing him as the simple gardener he always was.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chance: “I like to watch.” – Chance’s simple statement about his television viewing habits, which becomes a recurring motif reflecting his detached observation of the world.
• Chance: “There will be growth in the spring.” – Said to the President, this is interpreted as an optimistic economic forecast, showcasing how Chance’s simple statements are misconstrued as profound insights.
• Chance: “As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.” – Chance’s explanation about gardening is misinterpreted as a profound statement about life and resilience during a time of illness and political turmoil.
• President ‘Bobby’: “Life is a state of mind.” – The President’s closing line, a recurring theme highlighting the subjective nature of perception and the film’s ambiguous ending.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8 million
• Domestic Gross: $30.2 million
• Worldwide Gross: $30.2 million

💥 Being There Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Being There’ on a rainy afternoon, and it completely captivated me. Peter Sellers’ portrayal of Chance is simply brilliant – so understated yet incredibly moving. I was particularly struck by the scene where he tries to use the TV remote to ward off muggers; it perfectly captures his innocence and disconnection from reality. The ending, with Chance walking on water, left me pondering the film’s deeper meanings for days. It’s a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Peter Sellers and his comedic timing.”
  • “Viewers interested in political satire and social commentary.”
  • “Those who enjoy thought-provoking and ambiguous films.”
  • “Fans of classic cinema from the 1970s.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief sexual content and partial nudity.”
  • “Mild language.”
  • “Themes of death and terminal illness.”
  • “May be difficult for viewers who prefer straightforward narratives.”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “A masterful satire of American society, politics, and media. Peter Sellers delivers a career-defining performance as Chance, perfectly capturing the character’s innocence and profound impact on those around him. The film is a thought-provoking and timeless commentary on the power of perception and the emptiness of modern discourse.
• RogerEbert.com: “Being There is a deceptively simple film with layers of meaning beneath its surface. While it may seem like a comedy, it delves into deeper questions about identity, understanding, and the human tendency to project meaning onto ambiguous figures. Sellers’ performance is subtle yet powerful.
• Variety: “Hal Ashby’s direction is superb, creating a unique tone that perfectly balances humor and pathos. The supporting cast, including Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas, is excellent. ‘Being There’ provides sharp social commentary.

Audience Reactions

Sellers’ performance is mesmerizing and unforgettable.: Viewers consistently praise Peter Sellers’ acting as the simple-minded Chance, noting his perfect embodiment of innocence and naivete.

The film’s satirical commentary on media and politics resonates deeply.: Many appreciate the film’s sharp wit and its insightful critique of society’s tendency to misinterpret simplicity as profound wisdom.

Overall Consensus: A critically acclaimed satire featuring Peter Sellers in a career-defining role, celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and subtle humor.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “It took Peter Sellers nearly nine years to get this movie made by a studio because his career had declined in the 1970s. The success of the Pink Panther movies helped revive his career and allowed the film to finally be greenlit.”
• “The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, served as a primary filming location, lending its grandeur to the depiction of wealth and power in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Being There?

Being There is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for broadcast availability. Some streaming services may include it in their subscription libraries.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Being There, you might like these similar films:

• Forrest Gump (1994): Both films feature a simple-minded protagonist who inadvertently becomes involved in significant historical events and whose simplistic views are often mistaken for wisdom.
• Dave (1993): Features an ordinary man who unexpectedly finds himself in a position of power, navigating the complexities of politics with genuine simplicity and inadvertently influencing policy.
• Man of the Year (2006): A comedian wins a presidential election and must then navigate the political landscape.
• Zelig (1983): A Woody Allen mockumentary about a man who changes his appearance and personality to fit in with whoever he is around, becoming a cultural phenomenon.

🛒 Being There Related Products

• Being There (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: High-definition digital restoration, featuring special features like interviews, essays, and behind-the-scenes footage. A must-have for collectors.
• Being There [DVD]:  Standard definition DVD version of the film.
• Being There (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download or stream the complete soundtrack, including the iconic ‘Basketball Jones’ and the film’s original score. Experience the music that perfectly complements the movie’s tone.
• Being There Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original theatrical poster. Decorate your home theater or office with a classic piece of film history.

🎧 Soundtrack

Being There features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Basketball Jones Featuring Tyrone Shoelaces” – performed by Cheech & Chong (with George Harrison, Carole King, Billy Preston, Tom Scott)
• “Being There (Main Title)” – performed by John Mandel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Being There Ending ᴴᴰ

Ever wondered about the ending of ‘Being There’? This clip shows the final scene, and honestly, it’s one of the most discussed endings in film history. Check it out and decide for yourself what it all means!

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