Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘Being There’?

Being There (1979)

tomatometer

95

Average Rating: 8.3/10
Reviews Counted: 41
Fresh: 39 | Rotten: 2

No consensus yet.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 0

audience

91

liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 21,820

My Rating

Movie Info

Having lived his life as the gardener on a millionaire's estate, Chance (Peter Sellers) knows of the real world only what he has seen on TV. When his benefactor dies, Chance walks aimlessly into the streets of Washington D.C., where he is struck by a car owned by wealthy Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine). Identifying himself, the confused man mutters "Chance...gardener," which Eve takes to be "Chauncey Gardiner." Eve takes him to her home to convalesce, and because Chance is so well-dressed and

PG, 2 hr. 10 min.

Drama, Comedy

Apr 3, 2001

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Cast

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (2) | DVD (18)

A highly unusual and an unusually fine film.

October 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

No one seems to know what to do with the allegorical undertone of Jerzy Kosinski's script, but as a whole this 1979 film maintains a fine level of wit, sophistication, and insight.

October 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Hal Ashby directs Being There at an unruffled, elegant pace, the better to let Mr. Sellers's double-edged mannerisms make their full impression upon the audience.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Satire is a threatened species in American film, and when it does occur, it's usually broad and slapstick, as in the Mel Brooks films. Being There, directed by Hal Ashby, is a rare and subtle bird that finds its tone and stays with it.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Peter Sellers gives a stellar performance.

January 26, 2012 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Amazingly poignant performance by Peter Sellers.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

Sweet, feel-good sports flick is girl-powered.

October 14, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comments (4)
Common Sense Media

a product not of Ashby's essential modesty but of Kosinski's essential egoism.

May 20, 2009 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | Comment
Film Freak Central

Extras on the disc include a new featurette on the movie and its significance, two deleted scenes, an alternate ending, outtakes reel, and the movie trailer.

April 27, 2009 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

If you are going to see only one Peter Sellers movie, see Dr. Strangelove, but if you're going to see two, then Being There also belongs on your must-see list.

April 27, 2009 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comments (2)
Apollo Guide

While the story is utterly ridiculous, since not everyone would be fooled all the time, it still works as a charming work of fiction.

March 5, 2009 Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | Comment
7M Pictures

Sellers uses simple looks and gestures to bring light to some very serious situations. At many points it's like he's in a trance, truly embodying Chance.

February 6, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Views | Comment

It's perhaps the great comic actor's most emotionally moving role.

February 6, 2009 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

A kinder, gentler annihilation of the nation.

February 5, 2009 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Ground Zero for the cult of Sellers.

February 5, 2009 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Whether Being There is an indictment of our narrow view of the world, a celebration of empty-headedness or all of the above, "Life is a state of mind," and Ashby's film is a gift to treasure. [Blu-ray]

January 31, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | Comment

...along with his roles in Dr. Strangelove, his portrayal of Chance the gardener was probably the best thing Sellers ever did. (Blu-ray Edition)

January 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

...one of the shrewdest, funniest, and most touching sociopolitical satires in movie history.

January 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

So anti-Tom Hanks it ain't funny.

February 15, 2008 Comment
ColeSmithey.com

Peter Sellers' peculiar talents are ideally suited to the role of the idiot savant, and despite the Oscar going to co-star Douglas, his is the standout performance of a fascinating, funny film.

October 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

Jerzy Kosinski's modern fable gets a terrific translation to the screen due to his tight screenplay, capable direction by Ashby, and a marvelous performance by Sellers, one unlike any other in his career.

October 31, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Being There

Chance has spent his entire life working as a gardener for a millionaire. He has never left the estate. never been for a ride in a car, and all he knows of the outside world is what he has seen on television. That's all he does when not gardening- watch tv. When his benefactor dies, he is thrust out into the world,

November 2, 2010
cosmo313
Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

Innocence, subtlety and a heartful of mirth substantiate this unique movie. Here is an insight unto life and its wonderful, simple truths, despite all the insipidity of modern humanity. For all the movies that only showed me something, this one actually taught me something.

June 12, 2011
Adriel Lim

Super Reviewer

    1. Chance the Gardener: I like to watch.
    – Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

Movies Like Being There

Latest News for Being There

What's Hot On RT

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Total Recall
Total Recall

Unconventional Superheroes

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,529 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,334 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,095 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,606 taken
created 15 months ago

Foreign Titles

  • Bienvenue Mister Chance (FR)
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile