Being Julia Reviews

You won't get bored

You don't have to be a fan of Annette Bening (or Jeremy Irons) to enjoy this high-spirited tale of theatrical life - or rather, Julia Lambert's life, to be specific.

Based on a novella by my one of my all-time favorite authors, W. Somerset Maugham, Being Julia is sort of like All About Eve, except not as stage-y. It's a period piece, taking place in England in the '30s, where burnt-out Diva Extraordinaire Julia Lambert is moaning and groaning about her tedious, boring life to anyone who will listen, including her weathered and weary husband (Irons, drolly pipe-puffing his way through the film as only he could). She meets a young, handsome, American fan/opportunist (Shaun Evans, highly effective) and together they rekindle Julia's lust for life.

This is just the first half hour - it gets better and more and more outrageous (and of course more FUN) as it goes on. Needless to say, you won't be bored; in fact, I left the theater smiling and shaking my head.

[Highly rated reviewer]

OK, but the book's better

Sometimes when a book is good (as Somerset Maugham?s Theatre is) it?s as well to wonder why a narrative that depends on a great deal of internalised feeling could be expected to make a good film: so much subtlety is lost in broadening the characterisations (like changing the character of Tom from an aspirational suburban Londoner into an American) and motivations that it scarcely seems worthwhile. Read the book.

That said, this isn?t a hopeless effort, in fact it?s a moderately enjoyable film. Annette Bening is surprisingly good at the arch stageyness of her character, and Jeremy Irons (a predictable and unappealing actor) is well-cast. The standard of production values is high, and the simplified if vulgarised story is clear enough.

But it?s also a bit fluffy, and the direction is unexpectedly pedestrian: there are, for example, far too many ?reaction? shots, and a good deal too much unmotivated laughter to clumsily show how much people are supposed to be enjoying themselves. The climactic scene where Julia upstages her rival is hopeless anachronistic and unconvincing, and elsewhere too the period detail is inaccurate, for example in the grooming and teeth of Juliet Stevenson?s character.

There are worse ways to spend an hour and a half, but a lot of better ones too.

Great fun!

Reminded me of a Noel Coward stage play. Excellent performance from Annette Bening. Great dialogue which keeps you smiling your way through it. Bening moves between Katherine Hepburn and Bette Davis, which only enhances her fabulous portrayal of the likeable and sometimes perfectly 'over the top' character. Also a special mention for Michael Gambon who is superb.

Was extremely pleased with the movie and much, much better and a lot funnier than I anticipated . Can recommend it.

Fun

Could think of worse ways of spending 100 mins. It won,t change your life its jus FUN!

Witty Script

Annette Benning gives an excellent performance as the 1930's pre-war actress going through a mid-life crisis. The script is very sharp and witty and there are some nice set pieces. It is a very easy watch and plenty of humour to carry it forth. The sets and filming are a marvel to look at.

Excellent viewing.

Revenge is a dish best served cold

This 30's romp had the feel of one of those black and white films that your mum watches on Sunday afternoons. You know the ones you don?t like to admit that you enjoyed. A strong interesting plot and a strong performance from Annette Benning; let down only by the thin stereo typical characters around her. This film will not change your world but is worth the time. 3 stars

No bite

I was amazed to find this film was made in 2004, it looked like a 1970s TV movie. Although theres potentially an interesting story - it has no bite to it, no irony either, the characters seemed to have no depth. A shame, some talented people involved.

A joy from start to finish

No-one is shot, no-one snorts cocaine and there is no sinister villain lurking.

What we have are a group of splendid actors in a witty and utterly joyous film. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly entertained me!

[Highly rated reviewer]

A Very Theatrical Performance

I hadn't really seen much of Annette Bening before, though the older English members of the cast were familiar. I was very impressed by her performance, and by the cast in general.

Szabo's direction was excellent, but then I expected that from Mephisto and his other earlier films.

This film was such a pleasant surprise, it nearly deserves 5 stars.

Pleasant English Chocolate-Box Period Drama

It's a pleasant film, surviving only by way of its glitter. Indeed it's about egocentric actors/actresses and in this case egocentrism largely wins the day. It's foppery but it's fun, but it's totally inconsequential. Good budget, fine preparation, good acting, well-edited. This is just the film to show at the old-age pensioners' Christmas Party. They'll love it.