Being Julia

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 Amazon.com

Brilliant F-A-R-C-E

People complaining about the characters being thin, whether they give it five stars or one star, are completely missing the genre of this brilliant, witty, delightful film. It's a farce: the characters aren't supposed to be deep, they're supposed to be thin and manic and driven by one or two motives as their plans for love or money make them collide into each other. Every single performance here, down to the fish-eyed butler, is terrific and in tune with the spirit of farce, which is more English and European than it is American. We like our comedy broader and more genial. People in farce don't have to be likable, they have to be funny and self-deceived and involved in one tangle after another. I've seen this movie three times and each time my admiration for casting, script, sets and costumes grows. July 24, 2008

Drama queen.

Being Julia starring the talented Annette Bening could be the only reason to watch this film. Bening's performance earned her a Golden Globe, she is marvelous and has a great sense of humor to play a woman who's husband is cheating on her. This film is a bit slow and overwrought at times but Bening can do anything so with that being said just watch it and see why she is such a great actress. Jeremy Irons ain't too shabby either. November 11, 2007

dont fret annette; gertie lawrence didnt win an oscar either

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).
April 7, 2007

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

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. February 8, 2007

Wow!

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. July 17, 2006

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