Being There

A Peter Sellers showcase, which I'd been looking forward to for quite a while. And it was definitely worth it. But it's not just about Sellers, who is simply superb, it's also about the other actors who act here, and the absurd story, but it's delivered in a way that charms you and gets to you. Another slightly different variation on the simple-minded person. (17/11/2015)

Anyone expecting the same style of humor that Peter Sellers became famous for in the Pink Panther series will be disappointed with Being There. This is a completely different style and league. Along with the film Dr. Strangelove, it features one of Peter Sellers' most significant performances, reaffirming his position among the acting elite. With a very good screenplay and economical acting that relies on subtle changes in tone of voice, this understated but highly intelligent satire reveals the workings of high politics. Those who watch this film will understand the true meaning of the word "sarcasm." Overall impression: 90%. (20/12/2007)

The embodiment of assertiveness hand in hand with a well-aimed and darn funny satire that mainly the Greens (or all political parties, for that matter) could learn a lot from. The way that Ashby handles scenes that would have come across just embarrassing with anybody else (and not only the scenes with sexual undertones) is certainly admirable, but this is in no way a surprising or unique performance from him. I wanted to praise Sellers’ performance to the heavens with that already rather worn expression “performance of a lifetime", but then I remembered all his roles up until then, and it would be unfair to them. But then I remember how minimalistic and animated his performance of the role was, a role that 99.999 percent of the current stock of actors would have over-acted (hi there, Sean Penn) or turned into some lamentable creature (hi there, um, again Sean Penn, closely followed by Tom Hanks) - sorry, I simply had to get that below-the-belt comment in somehow. And this IS Sellers’ performance of a lifetime. P.S.: And, by the way, I like both Sean Penn and Tom Hanks. (14/05/2009)

Films with mentally handicapped people usually irritate me, but Mr Gardener is mentally handicapped in such a… cute way. A character brilliantly portrayed by Peter Sellers and a superb film. The many funny misunderstandings reminded me when analyses of artworks find something where the creator didn’t put anything. From now on, whenever I read one such analysis, I will remember this film with a smile. Yeah, and I’m not sure whether I understood the last scene correctly, if so, it’s brilliant and brilliantly bold. (08/07/2011)

"Life is a state of mind." I never doubted that Peter Sellers was an excellent actor. Now that I've finally seen Being There, I'm tempted to praise it even more... except that it's hard to. Its precise performance, where every word, every look, every innocent smile, every inhale and exhale fascinates. There is simply no way to describe something like that. It's been a long, long, long time since I've seen such a sensational film that I wanted to watch again right after the end credits (or rather before the end credits, because they're really stupid due to the spoiled scene that was used). (30/05/2014)