Anatomy of a Gag: BEING THERE

David Cairns takes a close look at the carefully calibrated minimalism of Hal Ashby’s masterful satire.

[@ConcernedNetizen]

The best gag is when Chance is dusting the ancient automobile with a feather duster for a good duration, and slowly as the camera pans down we get a fraction-of-a-second reveal of the fact that all the tires on the car are completely flat. You'd miss it if you blinked, but that makes it all the funnier!

[@ronmackinnon9374]

'He's as featureless as a mirror.' And it comes out, by the end of the film, that Chance's wealthy friend Ben Rand (portrayed by Melvyn Douglas) was a manufacturer of mirrors.

[@ranlive1]

Shirley MacLaine was hilarious in the "I like to watch" scene. This movie is a classic. Flawless from beginning to end.

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

I've wondered why MacLaine's ecstatic performance in "Being There" isn't compared widely with a certain Diner Scene from "When Harry Met Sally".

[@idiotsavant751]

Yes, I understand

[@greywebb1472]

I believe it was one of the best lines in any movie.

[@waynedent5559]

This movie has so many deep levels.

[@supertube287]

What I love about this movie is the that the lack of gags is almost a gag unto itself. It's such a perfect comedy premise, that's played completely and utterly straight, almost to the point of frustration. ...Until the end, when we're treated to the single absurdist moment in the entire movie. And it's just wonderful.

[@stanleydavis7904]

Well said

[@bigneiltoo]

It's not absurd. Chance is God. Get it?

[@seanrowshandel1680]

Peter Sellers REALLY hated on religion in Being There. All the other actors did it in short bursts, in their one-liners. But when you find out that PETER SELLERS didn't do any bad acting for the past 2 hours, you NEVER GO BACK.

[@stanleydavis7904]

2001 space odyssey, as he leaves his home for the first time is classic!!

[@dariusasghari]

Pink Panther, The Party, remarkable films that really showcased Sellers' skillsets. But Being There, good lord, what a performance. Still epitomises Ashby's philosophy on life for me. It put me in a transcendental, meditative state, and all through the poetry of comedy. What a film, one that contains half a dozen parables that we can explore today more than ever.

[@seanramsdell4172]

To quote Harold and Maude: LIVE

[@Jared_Wignall]

Adult Man Dr. Strangelove is the best performance(s) from Sellers in my opinion. Being There is a strong second for me.

[@louisecaltagirone9362]

Adult Man a day he is yes

[@moscosourquiola]

And today (2020) EVEN MORE!

[@rubusroo68]

Birdie num num, god I loved "The Party"

[@ChaunceyGardener]

I like to watch.

[@tlatosmd]

I like you a lot, Chauncey. I wouldn't put you in charge of politics, but I wish you well and that you can live a quiet life in a house with a garden for you to tend to and good TV reception.

[@dstuart2918]

Some comments are genius too--excellent, Chauncey! Probably my favorite film--ever.

[@greg33770]

Me Too !👍

[@samborlon]

Mr. Gardener, is it true that you speak 8 languages and hold degrees in medicine as well as in law?

[@maxheadrom3088]

Eve.

[@withnail-and-i]

Forrest Gump meets Siddhartha

[@sliceoflife4220]

What is siddartga??

[@neonsuntan]

Siddhartha is 1922 novel by Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man named Siddhartha during the time of the Gautama Buddha.

[@joycekoch5746]

Ashby writes: The first two minutes of my film were less about comedy but about where America would likely be in 30 or 40 years, so that, instead of a purely present day comedy it was a warning that a society gets the leaders it deserves.

[@otflipz1]

Prophetic

[@idiotsavant751]

It’s hair raising how spot on it is, like Network a few years earlier.

[@warplanner8852]

Except that Chauncey Gardner was polite, well-mannered, and kept his goddam mouth shut, letting others believe in his erudition. Our current POTUS Stool Sample is a mewling moron who runs his mouth nonstop!

[@millsykooksy4863]

damn

[@zamiadams4343]

Peter Sellers was a genius, they'll never be anyone else that comes close to him. An actor of which there is no equal.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Steve Coogan?

[@mark-ish]

​@@MartinHiggins1972 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MartinHiggins1972]

@@mark-ish What's laughable about that? Much of his Alan Partridge work is unrivalled. See also his depiction of Stan Laurel, comparable to Chance who was inspired partly by Laurel.

[@jkllfdsa]

Excellent analysis. Was seeking a trailer to direct a young person to because he wasn't familiar with this great film. The trailer doesn't do it justice. THIS analysis does. I hope it persuades him to watch the film. Thank you Mr. Cairns & thanks Criterion Collection. "Being There" deserves to be rediscovered, especially in this era of "truthiness", "fake news" and psychological projection on to others.

[@drstew1]

I loved every moment of this masterpiece. Just fact he walked on water at the end. Said to me he didn’t even realise he couldn’t. Since this film I’ve tried my best to strip meaning. Away Frm as much as possible. Drop expectations. Am not right your not wrong. What just happened, happened. Chancy has this purity I’ve only ever seen once. No not a child. A grown man. He lives on a boat. And just the way he looked at me. The way a deer or a kid that’s runs up to you. And in that moment all you see is your pure reflection... yeah that’s it.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Peter Sellers was the greatest actor that ever walked the Earth. Hal Ashby a great director and Being There and awesome book!

[@quinntanner1783]

Sellers said he emulated the voice of Stan Laurel, one of his comic idols for his role as Chauncey Gardener in Being There.

[@tommywiseau4224]

Hal Ashby is one of America's most underrated filmmakers.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Most of his movies are so-so. This is a masterpiece.

[@023achilles]

That is because Stanley Kubrick was brought in to 'finish' directing it. Why do you think there is 'Thus Spake Zarathustra' prominently played in the movie? Apparently Hal Ashby was too coked up at the time to do his work, and Kubrick did him (or the studio) a favor.

[@vitod7425]

Source? (I actually want the source, I'm curious, not trolling)

[@thesufi]

Hal :-)

[@williemays2]

@@vitod7425 Source? I made it up 😆

[@everkief1331]

This movie remains one of my all time favorites! I first watched it on VHS, probably in the early/mid 1980s.

[@Whompa02]

This is so SO relevant today...

[@Disiple8]

Joe Biden

[@gavinhudson5251]

@@Disiple8 I thought Trump actually.

[@LilyGazou]

Did you watch Biden’s first “press conference”?😂😂😂😂

[@Kill--alllll---IDF]

@@LilyGazou bin ladens 1st

[@Whompa02]

@@gavinhudson5251 Definitely Trump

[@thunderwarrior1759]

When i first watched Being There and the scene where he leaves the house comes on and you see the joke played on you is absolutely hilarious. Perfection in comedic film making from start to finish.

[@AB-ue5pm]

The book is very powerful; lots of introspection and retrospection. The audiobook is narrated by Dustin Hoffman, excellent work. A masterpiece by Sellers.

[@s.a.morris8625]

...Yes...Life is a State of Mind... Thank you for making this tribute...

[@georgetebbens3524]

Maximum respect. I'm really pleased that you mentioned Deodato's "Also Sprach Zarathrustra". It's an absolutely astonishing piece of music. Kubrick's use of this piece (in its entirety) for this scene is... listen, I'm no cinemaphiliac or whatever, but this scene strikes me as an exceptional work of art. My mom listened to this record when I was a child in the early 1970s. I stole that record from my mom when she booted me out of the house on my 18th birthday. I'm 58 years old now, and I swear to God that album is less than 4 feet away from where I sit now. I taught myself to play guitar listening to that record over, and over, and over again 40 years ago. John Tropea's guitar parts are as cool and tasty as it gets.

[@alabhaois]

Excellent analysis!! Thank you! 👍🌎

[@dimarelos]

Incredible analysis.

[@stevecohen11]

That was a brilliant summation of meaning of being there

[@cushyglen4264]

The story was based on Jerzy Kosiński’s own life. The book Being There was ripped off from an earlier Polish novel (Kosiński was Polish). Check out his bio on Wikipedia to see how he led a charmed existence. Doesn’t detract from a brilliant film.

[@amplifier2]

One of my favourites.

[@sodateke]

wonderful take on one of my favorite movies

[@leefischer2486]

Excellent production. Great job, criterion.

[@anneshelby9498]

Being There is one of the best movies I've ever seen. We laughed all the way through. If you enjoyed it, be sure to watch THE MOUSE THAT ROARED. Again, very subtle comedy but much more lighthearted against a backdrop of possible nuclear annihilation.

[@patrickcasey3163]

It’s symbolic of chances life. Unscathed. Blissfully navigating his world. He didn’t know he could sink thus he did not. It is the single supernatural event of the movie. There’s no ice. You can see ripples in the water. And he dips his umbrella deep into the pond to show this. Couldn’t do any wrong. Amazing movie ❤️

[@collegeman1988]

I think Peter Sellers wasn’t at all comfortable being himself. That’s what made him such a great actor because he was like a chameleon in that he could blend right into being a character without anyone noticing it was him at all.

[@user-ss1ok1nr6l]

I think you just described every actor everywhere.

[@monkeyman2407]

I don't know if it's true, but I have read that Sellers may have been on the autistic spectrum (Anthony Hopkins has claimed that he is as well) & in reading your statement, I think they may possibly right be right :)

[@jakewestbrook3214]

Now I want to see this again. I have the blu ray, but I want this new one.

[@edgarmao9949]

Thank you for not spoiling the end

[@grendelum]

They were getting so close...

[@jamesdrynan]

A superb characterization by Sellers! Not a false note in a performance that explored a life led in seclusion transplanted to the real world. My favorite line is an attendant taking Chance in the elevator. He looks around and says, " This is a very small room. " This causes a laugh from the attendant but from Chance's point of view, it's merely an observation. That is the paradox of Chance's world and the real one.

[@youejtube7692]

I like your analysis. I've been watching several videos by different people, analysing this wonderful film and haven't seen anyone in the videos or comments mentioning the artist Rene Magritte and his painting of the man (himself) in a bowler hat. Whenever I see the initial shots of Chance walking through the streets in his hat and coat I am always reminded of Magritte. I'm not sure of the significance but feel this can't just be a coincidence. I think it may be something to do with Magritte's bowler-hat-man representing the anonymous middle-class 'everyman' in the paintings, perhaps how he thought of himself too? Likewise, Chance represents a blank canvas for others to paint on their own projected version of his personality and character traits and even life story. And by all accounts, this is indeed how Peter Sellers thought of himself too - without a particular personality, able to portray/inhabit any personality given to him by authors, directors, the audience or his own imagination. Edit: Oh I just discovered that the painting by Magritte of man in a bowler hat with an apple in front of his face is called 'Son of Man' - so there is definitely a correlation here with Chance representing 'Adam' the original man and of course, there is Eve, who tries to tempt him with knowledge of carnal lust and desire, that he just does not have. He is just 'being there' while she is doing all the doing.

[@MultiCappie]

Thank you for giving us some Clues So we can understand this genius actor.

[@thunderwarrior1759]

President Gardener seems to finally be in office.

[@scrub_jay]

Don't usually spring for new Criterions of stuff I already own, but may have to make an exception this time.

[@johnrobinson1840]

Great interpretation of Being There!

[@alanFconrad]

One of my all time favorite movies

[@Warp75]

He was so happy about Being There God bless Peter

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

Because of technology we turned into Chance;we laughed at him and forty years later(i include myself)everyone meets the world throug a small screen.

[@grendelum]

*Being There* is one of my favorite films that I often screen for folk who haven’t seen it (allowing to rewatch them film and see their reactions, I like to watch), but I always make damn sure to pause the film before those bloody outtakes come on... they absolutely ruin the spell the film put you under !!!

[@scalzmoney]

Some say that abrupt cut to bloopers cost them awards consideration and affected the success of the film.

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

And some would say that as difficult as Sellers' reputation made him out to be, his death during the post-production brought out the desire to pay tribute to him with those out-takes. It's art, not an exact science.

[@theotrost3155]

The outtakes are a commentary on the "walk on water"scene. Is Chance some kind of Jesus figure? Or is he so light-headed, as it were, that he actually walked on water? No, the viewer is reminded. You are being manipulated by the media. And you like to watch.

[@chriswieman]

Same, same, same. Couldn't agree more, and I've done the very same thing. It's shame.

[@larrym9946]

Love this movie. Peter Sellars got an Academy Award nomination for this role

[@chris24hdez]

I remember the first time I watched Being There. I laughed so hard at the ending.

[@seanrowshandel1680]

Peter Sellers REALLY hated on religion in Being There. All the other actors did it in short bursts, in their one-liners. But when you find out that PETER SELLERS didn't do any bad acting for the past 2 hours, you NEVER GO BACK.

[@kennb.4169]

Thanks for another "aha" moment! :)

[@MGBranco]

Brilliant movie!

[@fauredaniel57]

Masterpiece

[@kristin1533]

Yes!

[@christianpaje9445]

Chance that the gift of the spirit

[@pkingo1]

First time a song made me laugh in a movie.

[@RobertJohnson-lb3qz]

Funny, I watched the movie many years ago. I now wonder if Chance is perhaps not unlike a number of our “leaders”. I’ll think about it as I do a few things in the garden.

[@wagnerbahia4205]

The best movie ever made.

[@user-ps1vy8fc4d]

Life, is a state of mind

[@stanleydavis7904]

Great movie Peter sellers off the charts

[@andrewscrone3036]

Life...is a state of mind

[@sherrihinton8567]

I loved the movie

[@warplanner8852]

"..in the era of Reagan.." Tipping our political leanings, are we? _Being There_ was released in 1979 when Carter was in office. The campaign for the presidency took place in 1980 before Reagan was even nominated. Except for his brief flirtation during the 1976 primary season, he had not burst into upon the national scene. If anything, the movie could be seen as a lampoon of the hick peanut farmer from Georgia.

[@TommyRichey]

I also thought that was an irrelevant snipe. It’s a broad satire of popular democracy and modern media’s elevation of trite talking points.

[@TommyRichey]

@@jppage3292 Well, it does in terms of historical accuracy. It’s like saying Bullworth is a satire of George W. Predates the period.

[@speeta]

I cant help but notice his obviously weightless empty suitcase.

[@grendelum]

Just make _absolutely _*_sure_* to *STOP* the film when the screen goes black at the end... the outtakes during the credits *_ruins_* the magic of the ending.

[@TommyRichey]

Yes! I was in disbelief over the decision to insert an outtake after such a transcendent, surreal ending.

[@bigneiltoo]

Did anyone notice that he is living in a fancy estate but then goes outside and is leaving the ghetto?

[@stanleydavis7904]

I got a basketball jones

[@grendelum]

I’d no idea of that song until the film and _cranked_ the volume up...

[@julianjdogg]

Prince Myshkin.

[@Fuliginosus]

Does the title come from the idea of Chance actually being there instead of watching it on TV?

[@tlatosmd]

Actually, it's in relation to the fact that the film deals heavily with the philosophy of Heidegger and his French students of Sartre and Camus that made up existentialism as an extension of Heidegger. One of Heidegger's main themes is that of Da-Sein, usually translated literally as "Being There" (which is also where the French "existentialism" label originally derives from) in English. The most obvious clues are in the orbitruary speech heard off-camera at the end of the film, which reads pretty much like a tract on Heidegger's idealist philosophy of the spirit or mind reigning supreme over matter, which is why Chance can walk on water by sheer will. Also notice the endless shot of the coffin slowly, endlessly being carried towards the grave or mausoleum, which echoes Heidegger's conviction that life is a long, extended journey towards death, basically. The notion of chance or "the absurd" is a main theme in existentialism based upon Heidegger, which is why the film is "a story of Chance", as the trailer has it, and it's also why Chauncey Gardner is made up to look a lot like the people in Rene Magritte's absurd surrealist paintings (you know, the guy with a floating apple famously obscuring his face).

[@andrewmarshall4604]

@@tlatosmd…. I understand

[@gavinhudson5251]

@@tlatosmd I understand.

[@poep85]

@@tlatosmd I understand.

[@chance5745]

I understand.

[@briancornish2076]

It didn't make me laugh. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

[@concettaworkman5895]

And it should. You are now watching the movie.

[@seanramsdell4172]

BT is more awesome than Network (no offense, fans of Beale)

[@geoffstribley9755]

Both films expose the exploitation of the weak, I have them high up on my favourite movies, to me they could be considered equal.

[@grendelum]

They’re totally different films, totally different vibes, equally high up in my top films...

[@petezipardi4022]

Do you know Rafael?

[@billbailey7193]

Chance is Kasper Hauser

[@timroland3898]

plebian, sparkling nickels.

[@danwright1794]

I understand

[@plance1]

never heard of this movie, sounds a bit like the Truman Show. Ill have to see if I can find it somewhere.

[@richardscally694]

Never heard of it!! rectify that immediately.

[@soxwina]

its the best

[@relicofgold]

It's nothing like the Truman Show.

[@tshandy1]

Reagan was the fool. Got it. From the kind of person who would never think to say the same about the King Fool, Joe Biden.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Deodato😎

[@phyarth8082]

What happens when you remove all self-awareness, Forest Gump shows his war wound in the ass directly to president when TV cameras is on :) Simpsons: Bart represents pure ID Homer unconscious nature, Lisa - Ego, Marge - superego, superego is rule rules and more rules, uptight behavior of society.

[@seanramsdell4172]

0:52 I agree with Louise that being white in America is one thing, but disabled? Don't underestimate us (even from a autistic Criterion buff's perspective) and I love this movie.

[@kristin1533]

"Shortchanged by the Lord and dumb as a jackass" :)

[@geniusmode1219]

This movie blows me away. A simple minded person getting to be president because hes white, and well polished seems like the world we live in. And the undertones of racism are amazing. This movie is a 5/5.

[@Disiple8]

Joe Biden

[@relicofgold]

@@Disiple8 Fuck off. trompism is for simpletons like you.

[@Disiple8]

@@relicofgold only a simpleton would spell trompism!

[@verzuckungsspitzen6553]

@@Disiple8 Haha, so true!

[@joycekoch5746]

Holy Fool - Wow, Biden writ large.

[@christinerowlanddeburca4399]

we now have a malevolent version of this on the world stage

[@Hegstuffing]

Why is the narrator calling him Chance...?

[@relicofgold]

Because that's the character's name.

[@Hegstuffing]

@@relicofgold Yes, it had been a long time since I'd seen the film and my memory was that his name was Chauncey, but I know why now. Thanks!

[@relicofgold]

@@Hegstuffing Sounds like you need a refresher watching of this great film. Too bad Sellers was aced out of the oscar for best actor for this role. Guess who got best actor? In a stunningly bad call, the academy awarded it to a loser film and a loser role for Dustin Hoffman in a film we've all forgotten about: Kramer vs. Kramer about his character's divorce with Meryl Streep's character. short-sighted popularity contest. At least Melvyn Douglas got best supporting actor...........but that was more of a recognition of his career, another weird thing the academy does.

[@Hegstuffing]

@@relicofgold I was listening to quite a bit of Being There analysis when I asked the Chance question. I should have just poked around to answer it for myself. I was fascinated w/ the film when I finally saw it a couple of years after its release.... I did see Kramer vs Kramer at a Drive-In near Santa Cruz, CA w/ my girlfriend. I watched the entire film again a couple of months ago and I have a kinder assessment of it than you do. I thought Hoffman delivered brilliantly. Kramer was the first time I'd heard of Streep. I thought she was great in that role....Other than one or two other Streep films, I can't stand her...Always felt she was way overrated. I had *so* many questions about Being There and I finally dug into it a bit... and you're right, it is time for another viewing!

[@relicofgold]

@@Hegstuffing I have no doubt Hoffman delivered brilliantly as you say. The man is an excellent actor. But was his performance superior to Seller's interpretation of Chauncey Gardener? Please follow through with the revisitation of BEING THERE and let me know. Perhaps I'll have to re-watch KvsK. The whole idea of a film about divorce just lapses in comparison to this fantastic story of a simpleton who is considered presidential.

[@timroland3898]

rootless, massive herbivores.

[@Bapuji42]

Orange Man Bad

[@crotalusatrox7931]

Chance The Gardener For President in 2024. It will be a step above the last two Administrations. Harvey the Rabbit for VP. When he walks on water....ignorance is Bliss.

[@justmeeagainn]

You think you overanalyzed this.

[@policepolice76]

Here's the information you requested YeP i teach computers and make educational flashcards repcrecycle laptops are you good

[@kelleyfawn8304]

THEY SHOULD REDO THIS MOVIE !!! WHAT A CLASSIC !!

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

If you mean, restore and re-release, 👍🏼 but if you mean remake? 💀

[@samborlon]

For fuck's sake NO!

[@relicofgold]

@@samborlon Un..........never............no.............it stands up on it's own, never will need to be remade.

[@AL-kn4yx]

They just did - only it's real this time!

[@billsmith5166]

Yeah. Well.. I guess.

[@Averyofthemain]

Reagan wasn't elected until november 1980, this film is from 79, so that wasn't part of the zeitgeist as you stated.

[@dstuart2918]

Reagan was running and I remember how he was lampooned as a has-been B-movie actor relentlessly. I voted for him twice, then I realized Republicans don't give a shit about the poor, gay people, black people, etc., etc., etc.

[@sniperking8452]

D Stuart And you think Democrats do?!🤣

[@relicofgold]

The book was written in the 70's, even though it did apply to Reagan coincidentally.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

@@sniperking8452 Silly liberals Still believe The Democratic Party is With them 100%. They will NEVER learn they only exist as an Illusion of Democracy.

[@danboyle116]

It's not a comedy, it's a satire. Didn't you even read the book?

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

It's a comedy, in the sense that it's not a tragedy. It's not solely satirical - there's no cruelty or reward for cynical behaviour - and it pulls far away from slapstick but still employs physical humour, visual gags and dramatic tension without ever breaking the buildup. By the end of the movie your nervous system hasn't had that cathartic release of laughter, instead it's ringing like a bell.

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

And since you might ask; I read the book.

[@timothymooney4466]

Chance is in the world but not of it.

[@waynedavis936]

I know most people are connecting Trump in their review and comments of this film. Well, I see no relation to Trump, but jump ahead, and I saw the part of Chancey Gardner being played by Biden and him giving an Oscar performance indeed.

[@jscottupton]

Cairns just HAD to get in a shot at Reagan. But Reagan was actually a very smart guy and was one of the best presidents in the last 50 years.

[@phiksit]

Nice guy... terrible policies

[@plance1]

@@phiksit yes agreed, killed inflation, the soviet union, brought about a renewed military and economy, just terrible.

[@relicofgold]

He screwed unions, started taxes on of all things SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS! He was a corporate stooge, screwing you plenty, but you're too stupid to get it.

[@gavinhudson5251]

He also had the early stages of Alzheimer's, which would have impacted on his presidency some what.

[@jscottupton]

@@relicofgold He didn't "screw unions". He "screwed GOVERNMENT unions". There's a difference. Even FDR...KING of the left...GOD of the democrat party...said "there is NO PLACE for unions among government employees".

[@rogerk.8600]

Joe biden IS Chauncey Gardener!!!

[@louies1068]

Reagan was a Holy fool.wow.some people will make politics about anything

[@majedahmed5410]

your comment is crap...."Sometimes the truth is too simple for intellectuals." Jean-Paul Sartre

[@gschady]

Reagan was a great President

[@reuben854]

A great president of what?

[@LoneRanger-ik1qb]

Nice video, but Trump 2024!

[@edwardbrady7599]

Still not happening. Dream on!

[@robertbaker3174]

Great movie. Just turned my 40 year old brother on to this movie but I bet he won't get it. By the way, Trump lost. Just kidding! What a 💩 show.

[@robertbaker3174]

@@edwardbrady7599 Dude,how do you miscreants seem to find you way into things like this? Kinda odd isn't it.

[@edwardbrady7599]

@@robertbaker3174 ANOTHER KISS ASS TRUMP SUPPORTER.

[@cheongyei]

Biden

[@lawrenceallen8096]

Don't let the panty-wastes lie to you: The Reagan Era was GREAT! I lived it. The movie is excellent, by the way.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Sellers passed away before Reagan became president