Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Being There’: Peter Sellers’s Savant Is a Revelation

Michael Clark
3/7/2022
Updated:
3/8/2022

One of the last few films of the American “New Wave” era, director Hal Ashby’s “Being There” also includes the second-to-last screen performance of the chameleon actor Peter Sellers. Worshiped by his peers, Sellers was largely ignored by various awards groups and known to most audiences as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the aloof, bumbling detective in the original “Pink Panther” franchise.

Containing elements of “Charly” (and later) “Rain Man,” “Forrest Gump,” and “Lars and the Real Girl,” “Being There” is a story about Chance (Sellers), a man who has reached middle age with no knowledge of the outside world beyond what he sees on television. He can’t read or write, has never consumed alcohol, never spoken on a telephone, ridden in a car, traveled in an elevator, or been with a woman. He has spent his entire life in a small cottage working as the gardener on a vast estate owned by an unnamed benefactor who dies in the movie’s opening scene.

Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine star in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine star in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)
After being questioned by an attorney for the estate, Chance is told that he must move out the next day. Taking it all in stride, he walks the streets of Washington, D.C., not knowing where to go and almost gets mugged by a gang of teens. While looking at himself on an electronics store TV, Chance is struck by a car carrying Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine), the beautiful, much younger wife of the uberwealthy and politically connected Ben Rand (Melvyn Douglas, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance).

Chance or Chauncey?

Out of fear of being sued and/or wanting to do the right thing, Eve insists that Chance return home with her to be examined by family physician Robert Allenby (Richard Dysart). Before arriving, Eve asks Chance what his name is, to which he replies “Chance the Gardener.” She mistakenly hears this as “Chauncey Gardiner” and this is how he is addressed from this point forward.

Upon arriving at the sprawling Rand mansion (the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina), Chance charms the socks off of everyone by delivering the most simple of utterances in an almost whispering monotone. Practically everything he says has some connection to gardening, which is interpreted as understated, sagely wisdom. His vagueness and unflappable air has an almost intoxicating level of unintended charm, which gob-smacks each person he meets and, in particular, Ben’s friend the President (Jack Warden).

Never referred to by name, the President quotes Chance during a speech and, in an instant, he becomes a Big Deal. He’s wanted for interviews, offered six-figure book deals, and is the source of endless frustration to the press and multiple intelligence agencies that can find zero background information on him.

It’s So Easy

Based on the 1970 novel by Polish novelist Jerzy Kosinski (who co-wrote the screenplay with an uncredited Robert C. Jones), it is one of the most nuanced satires ever produced. Devoid of finger-wagging, bellicose tirades, overreaching histrionics, or emotional manipulation, “Being There” is nonetheless a scathing commentary on politics and the media, pointing out how patently easy is it to fool people, often with their own willful, enthusiastic participation.
Peter Sellers (C) stars in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Peter Sellers (C) stars in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)

The rub here is that Chance isn’t remotely trying to be mysterious, devious, manipulative, untrustworthy, or dishonest; he is thoroughly incapable of lying or misdirection. He is always in the company of those who, more or less, to one degree or another, are practitioners of spin, misinformation, and self-deceit.

It becomes clear early on that Eve is strongly attracted to Chance, and it turns her inside out with desire. With the blessing of the ailing Ben, Eve throws herself at Chance. He doesn’t exactly rebuff her but does display a level of blank-slate disinterest that is far more devastating than being outright rejected or denied. As a result, Eve wants him all the more. Go figure.

Less Is Always More

Cliff Robertson won an Oscar for “Charly,” as did Dustin Hoffman for “Rain Man,” and Tom Hanks for “Forrest Gump,” all while playing mentally challenged men. It is never made clear and only mildly insinuated that Chance has some type of diminished capacity. He likely has some form of autism or OCD, yet Sellers doesn’t resort to the level of heightened affectation displayed by the above-mentioned actors. He never goes broad or leans into the performance; it’s all low-key and played close to the vest, and it’s perhaps his greatest career achievement.
Peter Sellers stars in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Peter Sellers stars in "Being There." (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Sellers did indeed receive an Oscar nomination for “Being There” but lost to Hoffman for the latter’s arguably easier, less-impressive performance in “Kramer vs. Kramer.” Sellers (and most critics) cited the inclusion of what has since become known as a “blooper” during the closing credits for his loss. In it, Sellers is attempting to do a hospital scene (which took place halfway through and was eventually cut) where he laughs at his own continuing line flubs. Had this been included as supplemental material on a home video release, it would be understandable, but to place it in the final theatrical cut was a catastrophic misstep on Ashby’s part. It’s dumbfounding as to why the producers didn’t excise it prior to release.

This unforced error robs “Being There” from achieving perfection and detracts from the overall sly, effortless, genuine tenor of the film. It’s the sole major flaw in an otherwise brilliant motion picture.

‘Being There’ Director: Hal Ashby Stars: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, Melvyn Douglas, Richard Dysart Running Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes MPAA Rating: PG Release Date: Dec. 19, 1979 Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Originally from Washington, D.C., Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Mr. Clark has written over 4,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
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