Introduction Being There
"Being There", a 1979 American comedy film directed by Hal Ashby, is based on the novel "Andrei Tarkovsky Spoke Softly into My Foreign Legion March" written by Jerzy Kosiński. The film is set in modern-day America but explores themes of identity, morality, and existentialism. The story revolves around Charles Terrell (Peter Sellers), a wealthy, isolated, and aged man who has made his fortune through real estate dealings. He decides to visit his long-lost son, Donald (Shelley Duvall) in the United States. During his journey, he meets various people who are searching for answers about their lives. "Being There" is known for its unique narrative structure and philosophical undertones. The film examines the complexities of human relationships, the search for meaning, and the consequences of one's actions. Peter Sellers' performance as Charles Terrell earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Overall, "Being There" is a thought-provoking comedy that explores themes of identity, morality, and existentialism through its unique narrative structure and philosophical undertones.
Plot and Themes Being There
"Being John Malkovich" is a 1999 film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. The story follows Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), a struggling puppeteer who discovers that he can enter the mind of John Malkovich, his celebrity crush. The plot revolves around Craig's journey to become John Malkovich, which leads him down a rabbit hole of self-discovery. Through this process, Craig gains insights into his own life and relationships, including his interactions with Maxine (Catherine Keener), a woman who works at the agency where he is trying to get a job. The film explores themes of identity, celebrity culture, and the power dynamics between those who are famous and those who are not. Through its use of metafictional elements and surreal scenarios, the movie delves into the construction of reality and the blurring of lines between fantasy and reality. Ultimately, "Being John Malkovich" is a thought-provoking exploration of the human desire to transcend one's own existence by becoming someone else, while also highlighting the complexities of our relationships with others.
Performance and Direction Being There
"Being There" is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby, based on the novel of the same name by Jerzy Kosinski. The movie follows Chance (Peter Sellers), a simple-minded gardener who has never left his home and is suddenly thrust into the world beyond. Here's an evaluation of the performances: 1. Peter Sellers: Sellers' performance as Chance is both memorable and frustrating at times. He brings a level of physical comedy to the role, but sometimes struggles with the character's innocence and naivety. His accent also becomes grating at times. 2. Shirley MacLaine: MacLaine plays Eve Rand, a wealthy and manipulative woman who takes Chance under her wing. She is convincing as a cold-hearted socialite, but her performance is somewhat one-dimensional. 3. Melvyn Douglas: Douglas plays Leo Andreyev, a kindly old man who becomes Chance's friend. He brings warmth and humanity to the role, but his character feels slightly underdeveloped. 4. Richard Boone: Boone plays Mr. Rudolph, a sinister businessman who tries to take advantage of Eve Rand. He is convincing as a menacing figure, but his performance is somewhat over-the-top at times. 5. Harold Gould: Gould plays Dr. Robert Andreyev, Leo's son and a scientist. He is convincing as a slightly eccentric intellectual, but his character feels somewhat underdeveloped. Now, let's evaluate the direction: 1. Hal Ashby: Ashby's direction is somewhat uneven. At times, he handles the material with sensitivity and nuance, particularly in scenes featuring Sellers and Douglas. However, other moments feel forced or contrived. 2. Cinematography: The cinematography by John Alcott is generally excellent. He captures the beauty of the natural world and the opulence of Eve Rand's mansion effectively. 3. Music: The score by Stanley Myers is unobtrusive but effective in setting the tone for each scene. 4. Editing: The editing by Sheldon Kahn is generally smooth, but some transitions between scenes feel slightly abrupt. Overall, "Being There" is a film with an intriguing premise and strong performances from its leads. However, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity due to uneven direction and character development.
Technical Aspects Being There
"Being John Malkovich" (1999) is a surreal comedy film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. While it's not directly related to the title 'Being There', I'll assume you meant 'Being John Malkovich'. Here are some technical aspects of this movie: 1. Cinematography: The film was shot on 35mm film using a combination of digital cameras (e.g., Phantom) and traditional film stock. This allowed for unique visual effects, such as the wormhole sequences where characters enter Malkovich's body. 2. Sound Design: The sound design in 'Being John Malkovich' is remarkable for its use of subtle audio cues to enhance the surreal atmosphere. For instance, when Craig (John Cusack) enters Malkovich's mind, the sound of his own heartbeat becomes louder and more distorted as he navigates through Malkovich's thoughts. 3. Visual Effects: The film's visual effects were achieved using a combination of practical techniques (e.g., makeup, prosthetics) and digital post-production tools like Adobe AfterEffects and Quantel Harry. The wormhole sequences required extensive use of CGI to create the illusion of Craig entering Malkovich's body and navigating his thoughts. 4. Camera Movement: Spike Jonze employed a range of camera movements throughout the film, from handheld shots to Steadicam sequences, which added to its dynamic feel. The camera work in the opening scene, where Craig enters Malkovich's mind for the first time, is particularly noteworthy for its use of slow-motion and a disorienting perspective. 5. Color Grading: The color palette in 'Being John Malkovich' is often described as muted or desaturated, which contributes to the film's overall sense of detachment and surrealism. This was achieved through careful color grading during post-production using software like DaVinci Resolve. 6. Editing: The editing style in 'Being John Malkovich' is characterized by its use of quick cuts, jump cuts, and other unconventional techniques to create a disjointed feel that mirrors the characters' experiences as they navigate the world of celebrity fandom. 7. Special Effects Makeup: The makeup department played a crucial role in creating the character of Malkovich's doppelganger, which was achieved through extensive prosthetics work by makeup artist Vincent Van Dyke. 8. Costume Design: Costume designer Casey Storm created outfits that were often deliberately mismatched or anachronistic to reflect the characters' eccentric personalities and their fascination with celebrity culture. In summary, 'Being John Malkovich' is a technically impressive film that combines various elements of cinematography, sound design, visual effects, and editing to create its unique atmosphere. The practical special effects makeup, costume design, and color grading all contribute to the overall surreal feel of the movie.
More Details Being There
"Being There" is a 1979 American comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby. The screenplay was written by Jerzy Kosinski and Robert C. Jones, based on Kosinski's novel of the same name. Cast: * Peter Sellers as Chance * Shirley MacLaine as Eve Rand * Melvyn Douglas as Benjamin Rand * Jack Warden as Dr. Robert Munson Production Companies: * United Artists * Lorimar Film Entertainment Interesting Trivia: 1. Peter Sellers was known for his improvisational skills, and he improvised many of the humorous moments in "Being There". For example, when Chance explains the meaning of "mud", he says it's "life... mud... life...". This line was improvised by Sellers. 2. Hal Ashby had a difficult time directing Peter Sellers, who was known for his eccentric behavior and constant improvising. Ashby once said that he never knew what he would get from Sellers each day. 3. The character of Chance is based on the real-life story of Vasily Klyuchnikov, a Russian peasant who gained notoriety in the 1970s for his simplistic but profound wisdom. 4. "Being There" was originally intended to be a serious drama, but Ashby's direction and Sellers' improvisations turned it into a comedy-drama. 5. Shirley MacLaine was initially hesitant about taking on the role of Eve Rand, fearing that she would overshadow Peter Sellers. However, after reading the script and seeing how well the two actors worked together, she agreed to join the project. 6. The film's ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving the audience wondering whether Chance really does understand the complexities of life or if he just says things that sound profound but are actually nonsense. 7. "Being There" was a commercial failure upon its initial release, but it has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time.
Conclusion Being There
"Being There" is a film that defies easy categorization. On the surface, it appears to be a simple comedy about a man who inherits a large estate from a distant relative he's never met. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals itself to be a complex exploration of themes such as identity, class, and the human condition. One of the strengths of "Being There" is its cast, which features Peter Sellers in one of his most memorable roles. He brings a depth and nuance to the character of Chance, making him both endearing and infuriating at the same time. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Shirley MacLaine giving a particularly strong performance as Eve Rand. The film's script, written by Jerzy Kosinski and Robert C. Jones, is also noteworthy for its cleverness and wit. The dialogue is often humorous and biting, but it also has a underlying sense of sadness and loss. However, "Being There" is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel slow and plodding, which may test the patience of some viewers. Additionally, the film's themes and messages can be overly obtuse at times, leaving viewers feeling confused or unsatisfied. Despite these weaknesses, I would still highly recommend "Being There" to anyone who enjoys complex, thought-provoking comedies. Peter Sellers' performance is truly memorable, and the film's themes are both timely and timeless. Overall, I give "Being There" four out of five stars - it's a unique and fascinating film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.