“This is just like television, only you can see much further.” —Chance
Today’s quick review: Being There. Chance (Peter Sellers), a dimwitted gardener, has spent his life within the sheltered confines of his employer’s estate. When the man dies and the lawyers take his home, Chance is left to fend for himself in a complex and uncaring world. Mistaken for a destitute businessman, he’s taken in by Eve (Shirley MacLaine) and Ben Rand (Melvyn Douglas), a wealthy couple who soon come to see him as an indispensable friend.
Being There is a classic comedy about a naive man and a case of mistaken identity. Chance has lived his whole life in one place and only knows about the outside world from television. His calm, earnest demeanor, expensive clothing, and enigmatic way of speaking let him inadvertently pass for a member of high society. What follows is a sweet, poignant story with excellent acting, a carefully balanced tone, and a deadpan sense of humor.
Being There avoids overplaying its hand. Chance is an unusually subdued role for Peter Sellers, drawing humor from innocence rather than slapstick or caricature. As a protagonist, Chance manages to be likable but not cloying, a peculiar character with good intentions and an unusual way of looking at the world. His odd behavior is mistaken for wisdom and a clever sense of humor by those around him, a mistake Chance is too dull to dispel.
Being There tempers its comedy with drama. Chance has a tragic side to his character. His mental deficiencies keep him from forming real relationships or understanding the world around him. He floats through life untouched by events that should be meaningful, carried along by a tide of serendipity. This aspect of Chance lets the film slip in some deeper observations about life, death, society, and the ways that humans interact with one another.
Watch Being There when you’re in the mood for a dry comedy with some substance. Being There carves out a peculiar niche for itself and fills it out well. How much you get out of the film will depend on how much you like its clueless main character and its tone. Those who prefer thoughtful comedies will find that it has both a creative premise and the craft to back it up. Those who prefer overt humor or an upbeat tone may want to look elsewhere.
For a classic comedy with a similar blend of low-stakes drama and dry humor, try The Graduate. For a more overt comedy with a similar case of mistaken identity, try The Man Who Knew Too Little. For a comedy adventure about a good-natured man with his head in the clouds, check out The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For an awkward modern comedy about a sheltered young man forced into the real world, try Brigsby Bear.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a likable main character and a pleasant blend of comedy and deeper meaning.