Being There

Being There is a sophisticated, intellectual comedy-drama directed by Hal Ashby, based on the novel written by Jerzy Kosinski. This award-winning film was released in 1979 starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, and Melvyn Douglas. The film is one of the notable moments in Sellers' distinguished career, this being one of his last performances before his death in 1980.

The film's protagonist, Chance, played by Peter Sellers, is a middle-aged man who spent his entire life as the gardener of a wealthy and influential businessman in Washington D.C. Chance lacks formal education and is deeply socially naive. He’s lead an extremely sheltered life, spending his time tending to the gardens and watching television. His knowledge about the world outside is only derived from the programs he watches on TV. When his employer dies, Chance is cast out into the real world without any preparation or understanding of how society operates.

The film takes on a surreal tone when Chance's simple and literal utterances are mistaken for profound metaphors by the political and business elite. After a chance encounter, or rather a minor mishap, Chance quickly finds himself taken under the wing of another business magnate, Benjamin Rand, played by Melvyn Douglas. Rand misinterprets Chance's gardening references as metaphorical wisdom about business, life, and politics. Rand, a personal confidant of the President, introduces Chance to high-ranking politicians who also misinterpret Chance's words leading to Chance becoming an unwittingly influential figure in the political world.

The strength of the film lies in Peter Seller’s brilliant performance as he captures the innocence and simplicity of Chance the gardener with remarkable authenticity. The character's blank-slate personality is malleable to the interpreting minds of the city’s elite, making it possible for them to project their own expectations and aspirations onto him. Sellers' commitment to the role and his nuance gave birth to one of the most memorable characters in American cinema.

Shirley MacLaine as Eve Rand, the younger wife of Benjamin Rand, also showcases a stellar performance. Her character is intrigued and charmed by Chance's novelty, simplicity and subtle wisdom, believing that such a man could not possibly exist in their high-status circles, thereby manifesting her deep emotional interest for Chance. MacLaine's nuanced portrayal of Eve’s complexities and her longing for authentic connection amidst the superficial elegance of their social arena delivered depth to the film.

The film also features accomplished supporting roles, including Jack Warden as the President and Richard Dysart as Dr. Robert Allenby. Their performances add another important layer to the swinging pendulum of perception and misunderstanding that characterizes the narrative.

Hal Ashby's direction offers us a satire that is as thought-provoking as it is amusing. Being There's script ambitiously focuses on how truths are constructed and how appearances can be deceiving. It ingeniously comments on politics, media, class distinction and the power of perception, while remaining engaging through the comedic underplay of Sellers' performance. Caleb Deschanel's cinematography adds an almost dreamlike quality to the film, maintaining a serene and detached style reflective of Chance’s calm and simplistic perspective.

Being There is a film that intricately walks a fine line between comedy and drama. On one hand, it provides us with the hilarious spectacle of a socially-prominent society misinterpreting and re-branded a simple gardener as a profound philosopher. On the other hand, it offers a sharp commentary on the superficiality of elite society and the susceptibility of people to fall for hollow, contrived wisdom. It's a remarkable creative effort that embraces its premise whole-heartedly, creating a character study that lingers in memory. This film is a distinguished example of how comedy can be used as a powerful tool to shed light on society's misconceptions.