Being Julia (2004)
Delightful, witty, charming and
an all-around jolly good time, "Being Julia" reminds
one of what "Noises Off" might have been like if it
were penned by Oscar Wilde. This Somerset Maugham
tale, from his novel "Theater," is deliciously wicked
fun. The actors here are having the times of their
lives and it shows. It's hard to imagine anyone walking
out of the cinema after seeing this film without a
big grin covering their face.
Annette Benning is simply awesome
as the titular Julia, an ageing London stage actress
in the 30's who finds herself becoming bored with
her life as a woman of notoriety and acclaim. She's
asked her husband and manager Jeremy Irons, himself
having quite a bit of fun here being cast in a light
role for a change, to give her some time off and everything
seems to be working towards that end when she suddenly
begins an affair with a young male admirer. Suddenly,
Julia doesn't want to leave at all.
The biggest problem with the film
is the May/December relationship which, as is Hollywood's
wont, cannot help but cause much drama. Benning is
forced into the jealous, distraught older lover who
suddenly cannot function without the attention of
the much younger man and it becomes a bit tiresome
and sterotypical. There is the typical petty arguments
about money and being "kept" as if this were all that
intergenerational lovers ever argued about. Julia
event admits to much resentment towards her young
suitor for the power he seems to hold over her.
All of this, of course, leads to
tears and heartbreak but, at least, the retribution
here that Julia dishes out for her being spurned is
quite a wonderful treat for the audience as well as
the character. The final third of the film, where
Julia shakes off her feelings and adapts to "the show
must go on" adage, albeit in her own style, is simply
wonderful.
In addition to Benning and Irons,
there are several wonderful performances here. Shaun
Evans is attractive and charming as the handsome Tom
(although he looks a little like a young Jonathan
Price circa the time of TV's "Throb"). Juliet Stevenson
is perfect (albeit sadly underused) as Julia's maid
and dresser. And Bruce Greenwood and Michael Gambon
both have fun in their small roles. But the truly
wonderful moments in the secondary cast come from
young Tom Sturridge as Julia's son Roger. A fey and
adorable young man, Sturridge is so extraordinarily
lovely to look at that it is nearly impossible to
take your eyes off of him. He's quite a good actor
too as is evidenced in a late scene in the film that
he shares with Benning. The segment provides a wonderful
depth to his character and works smartly to further
the film's theme.
"Being Julia" is a delightful bit
of fun. The cinematics here are nothing to write home
about and the plot can be a little silly at times
but the overwhelming charm of the piece and the delight
the actors have in "putting it on its legs" is infectious.
Benning deserves every accolade she has received for
her work here. This is an appealing film and one that
has much humor in its heart.
Notes:
Also with Murray Chaykin.
The film has been nominated for
and won several awards. Benning is up against Hilary
Swank once again for an Academy Award. In 1999, Benning,
nominated for "American Beauty," lost to Swank who
won for her role in "Boy's Don't Cry."
Filmed in Hungary and the U.K.
The novel has been made into a film
three times previously, each in a foreign language.
Viewed in Austin at the Regal Arbor
in February 2005.
The Regal theaters in Austin seem
to have started this policy of having the managers
and ushers walk through the theater during the film
with a flashlight on brightly and sometimes even wearing
a neon yellow vest. While this customer service and
safety measure would be acceptable and perhaps even
appreciated if done correctly, the Regal theaters
here in Austin have truly made it a maddening process.
Usually, as is to be expected, the ushers are young
and they wave the flashlight all over the place distracting
the viewer from the film. And even worse, the staff
of these theaters seem to insist on doing one of these
walk-throughs about every 30 minutes or so, usually
three or four times per film. It's overkill! I had
to get on the Regal website and write a nasty note
after my viewing experience in seeing "Being Julia."
It was a Tuesday evening at the 10pm show when I saw
the film. There were only three other people in the
theater with me for the entire show. The ushers came
in four different times! It was ridiculous. This has
got to stop. The only thing more annoying than this
are those now omnipresent fucking red dots that mar
the film prints we see in theaters for supposed security
reasons that supposedly somehow discourage piracy.
It's enough to put one off their popcorn.
