Being Julia

Starring:Michael Gambon, Annette Bening, Leigh Lawson, Shaun Evans (II), Mari Kiss, Jeremy Irons, Ronald Markham, Terry Sach, Catherine Charlton, Juliet Stevenson, Miriam Margolyes, Max Irons, Andrew Paton Story Busher, George Lang (II), Michael Culkin, Marsha Fitzalan, Bruce Greenwood, Denzel Sinclaire, Julian Richings, Tom Sturridge
Director: István Szabó
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Annette Bening's outstanding performance is the best reason to see Being Julia, a highly melodramatic adaptation of the 1937 novel Theatre by W. Somerset Maugham. With a prestigious pedigree (director Istvan Szabo and screenwriter Ronald Harwood share impressive theatrical backgrounds) and a stellar cast including Jeremy Irons, Bruce Greenwood, and Juliet Stevenson, the film's backstage and onstage theatrics take place in pre-World War II London, when the venerable actress Julia (Bening) fends off middle-age by romancing a stage-struck young American (Shaun Evans) in a calculated attempt to retain some youthful vitality while airing her own dirty laundry onstage in a glorious act of divine diva behavior. Treating life and theater as one big play in which she's the perpetual star, Julia's nothing if not a master thespian, and Bening's got all the chops to keep her in the spotlight. If the film isn't quite worthy of Bening's excellence, at least it gives her performance the showcase it deserves. -- Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

dont fret annette; gertie lawrence didnt win an oscar either.......2007-04-07

essentially little more than an overblown star vehicle for annette benning, portraying a 1930s stage actress in an overblown star vehicle. there is just a bit too much of "the-a-tre" smugness to appeal to a general audience, but the audience its intended for should lap it up. strong supporting work from the likes of jeremy irons, michael gambon, and a delicious miriam margolyes (if you recognize that name, this movie is for you).

Being Julia -- I laughed, smiled, and was glad that I watched it........2007-02-08

Annette Benning's dramatic, humorous, and stunning performance in "Being Julia" is what (for me) pushes this movie from three to four stars. Not just any actress could pull off playing the curt and witty diva-like personality of Julia Lambert, but Annette does and she does it well. I feel her performance bares a resemblance to Betty Davis's in "All About Eve." Also the other actors (Shaun Evans, Jeremy Irons, Lucy Punch, and Tom Sturridge) performances are not to be overlooked either. I especially thought Lucy Punch did an amazing job playing Avice Crichton, the young tart who fancies herself an actress. This is a well-written film and one not to be missed. I enjoyed it. I laughed, smiled, and was glad that I watched it. The DVD contains the following special features: Commentary by: director István Szabó, actors Annette Bening and Jeremy Irons, Making of featurett, Behind the scenes featurette, and Deleted scenes.

Wow!.......2006-07-17

This film is a complete and utter delight from start to finish! I found it at my library and have watched it three times in a row -- every time I see and hear more subtlety. The story is a wonderful romp through the ups and downs of one woman's mid-life crisis without being cliche or maudlin. Bravo to Annette Benning for the courage to keep her own face and not get alot of expression-freezing plastic surgery as she ages. She is more beautiful and radiant than ever, because she is real, and even more accomplished at her craft. Kudos also to Jeremy Irons and the rest of the cast for great acting. Benning indeed should have had the Oscar for this tour de force. I'm buying the movie, the soundtrack and the novella by Maughm.

Never has Annette Bening Looked More Beautiful or Shown More Talent!.......2006-06-24

I have to agree with the other reviewers on this board: Annette Bening is just stunning. In fact, it is hard to take your eyes off of her. Her acting in this film is extraordinary and was a pleasure to watch. In fact, all the actors did a fabulous job in portraying their characters.

Unfortunately, I found the film to have parts that were bland and uneven. I had to watch it in three different sittings because at times I became very bored. The premise is that Julia Lambert, a diva of the stage, spends her entire adulthood playing a role. She never has an original thought; everything she says is from one of her plays. She has an affair with a much younger man who is having an affair with a young woman (in a play with Julia) who is having an affair with Julia's husband (played very well by Jeremy Irons). The fireworks begin when Julia decides to become original for once while having her comeuppance!

BEING JULIA was a mildly entertaining film that I enjoyed viewing. If certain scenes had been cut, I think it would have been in contention for some big awards. Bening did win several awards (including the Golden Globe). The costumes and sets were also wonderful and I adored the ending of this cute little movie.

excellent movie.......2006-05-22

Saw this movie on HBO tonight and loved it! Best movie I've seen in years (Great Ending) (Great Acting) I may even buy it. Kay

Average customer rating:

dont fret annette; gertie lawrence didnt win an oscar either
Being Julia -- I laughed, smiled, and was glad that I watched it.
Wow!
Never has Annette Bening Looked More Beautiful or Shown More Talent!
excellent movie

Being Julia
Starring: Michael Gambon , Annette Bening , Leigh Lawson , Shaun Evans (II) , and Mari Kiss
Director: István Szabó
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Vera Drake
Mrs. Henderson Presents (Widescreen Edition)
Ladies in Lavender
Match Point
The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0007D5FYQ

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

dont fret annette; gertie lawrence didnt win an oscar either.......2007-04-07

Being Julia -- I laughed, smiled, and was glad that I watched it........2007-02-08

Wow!.......2006-07-17

Never has Annette Bening Looked More Beautiful or Shown More Talent!.......2006-06-24

excellent movie.......2006-05-22

Saw this movie on HBO tonight and loved it! Best movie I've seen in years (Great Ending) (Great Acting) I may even buy it. Kay

Average customer rating:

AS ENTERTAINING AS IT IS FORGETABLE...

Being Julia

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Far from Heaven
Howards End - The Merchant Ivory Collection
Transamerica (Widescreen Edition)
The Departed (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B000E6D22S

Product Description

"ANNETTE BENING GETS THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME" CLAUDIA PUIG, USA TODAY "BEING IS DIVA-LICIOUS"! THELMA ADAMS, US WEEKLY

Customer Reviews:

AS ENTERTAINING AS IT IS FORGETABLE..........2006-07-16

This is an entertaining film that takes place in 1938 London, England, where a forty-something stage star, Julia Lambert (Annette Bening), is undergoing a mid-life crisis. Julia has come a long way, having started her stage career in provincial theatre, where she was discovered and mentored by Jimmy Langton (Michael Gambon), dead for at least fifteen years. Julia is now the reigning diva of the London stage and has been married for well over twenty years to her business manager, the handsome and debonair Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons). Alas, she has lost her spark. Her performances weary her, and her marriage has sunk into platonic complacency. She needs something to energize her.

Then, along comes a young and handsome, ardent admirer, Tom Fennell (Shaun Evans), who is about the same age as Julia's son, Rupert (Michael Culkin). Tom Fennel wastes little time in making his intentions known, and before she knows it, Julia is having an affair with him. Believing herself in love with the feckless and boyish Tom, giving him expensive gifts and lending him money, she is jealous when his attentions seem to stray to a young blonde, would be actress, Avice Crichton. Apparently, the young actress wants a part in Julia's new play, and she pressures Tom to help her get a part. When Julia discovers that she has made a fool of herself six ways to Sunday, she decides to give the performance of her life and exacts a revenge that will leave no one in doubt about who is in charge of her destiny.

Annette Bening is wonderful in the part of Julia and totally riveting as the self-absorbed diva that finally manages to come to terms with herself. She also manages a totally believable upper class British accent. Jeremy Irons is wonderful as the understanding husband with peccadilloes of his own for which to account. Shaun Evans is excellent as the coltish but self-seeking Tom Fennel. I was floored to discover that he was not American, as he really has the American accent down pat. Lucy Punch is excellent as the pretty, young actress who has no qualms about the proverbial casting couch and gets a comeuppance that she will never forget. Michael Gambon is terrific as Jimmy Langton who, although long dead, appears on screen giving Julia advice that helps prop her up along the way, as she faces some unpleasant consequences of her actions. Of course, there is Julia Stevenson in the role of Evie, Julia's long time companion and dresser. This is an actress under appreciated by American audiences. While no great beauty, she is, undoubtedly, a great actress.

This is a film in which no expense seemed to have been spared. It boasts a stellar cast, as well as deft direction by Istvan Szabo. The performances are first rate, and the film has beautiful period sets and costumes. It is a film, however, that while entertaining is eminently forgettable. None of the major characters are particularly likable, as they are shallow and self-absorbed for the most part. Although the story is a little thin and trivial, however, it is a film that is certainly worth a rental for the performances alone.

Average customer rating:

dont fret annette; gertie lawrence didnt win an oscar either
Being Julia -- I laughed, smiled, and was glad that I watched it.
Wow!
Never has Annette Bening Looked More Beautiful or Shown More Talent!
excellent movie

Being Julia
Starring: Michael Gambon , Annette Bening , Leigh Lawson , Shaun Evans (II) , and Mari Kiss
Director: István Szabó
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video