UNCUT - Being There (1979)

I first saw this when It was in theaters and thought it was hilarious. Still do. Peter Sellers was a comic genius. Chance's appearance (he looks like a distinguished, wealthy man in a tailored suit), in spite of his utter cluelessness about the world, is what causes people to make assumptions about him, interpreting everything he says through the image they have of him. He's kind of an empty vessel that everyone (except for the maid, the lawyer, and the doctor) fill with their own expectations. As for how he was forgotten and left to fend for himself, they never really explain. But my head canon is that the old man who died at the beginning was the only one who knew about his situation and never got around to making arrangements for him before his mind started going.

I remember seeing this as a kid after it came out in theaters. Back then my town had a sort of grindhouse theater that would show double features on two screens. My mom would drop me and my brother off their Saturdays to see two double features along with enough money for popcorn, hot dogs, and dill pickles. I was probably 10 when I saw this, so it had to be a second run. I remember enjoying it but not quite getting it, but had fond memories of it. I was glad to rewatch it with you guys and really loved it. Peter Sellers was a brilliant comic actor, and though he wasn't always the easiest person to get along with according to scuttlebut, this was a passion project for him and it really shows. Seems like everyone has nothing but positive things to say about their experience on the film, and it was up for a lot of awards at the time. Shame that he died so (relatively) young. I am one year older than he was when he passed away. Makes you think that, yeah, you really have to be there in the moment. Also the fact that former actor and California governor Ronald Reagan was elected to the presidency literally the year after this came out - and some folks at the time (and definitely now) thinking he was kind of clueless - makes it seem eerily prescient. Anyway, looking forward to more reactions guys!

That's a surprise to see an old Sellers movie, and I believe his last, that had been somewhat of a passion project if his, but not recieved with the highest of praise. And on another note, my family knew the man himself very well 💯

I watched this movie on HBO when I was like 10. Despite my age, I did get it. I always thought of it as a "once is enough" kind of movie.

Great reaction, guys. If you want to see the full range and genius of Peter Sellers, you must watch Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove (1964). And if you want another awesome 70's film recommendation, check out Network (1976). Bridge Crew, make it so.

I think the director Blake Edwards (Pink Panther films) said in at least 1 interview that Peter Sellers was certifiably crazy. If he had not been Peter Sellers, he would have been committed. I liked him in The Party and of course Dr. Strangelove.

This is one of my favorite movies…

The Godfather was the 70s

Being There is the English translation for "Das Sein". The German existentialist philosopher Heidegger wrote about the subject Das Sein and this movie is basically his thinking put into film. He argues that we need to be "present in the world" by "being there" and knowing that life is contingent and random and just engaging with it rather than being locked in an academic building and theorizing about life. If you put yourself out there life will make sense as it evolves

Very excited to watch this with you. Haven’t seen it in 25 years

Great film. I’ll watch it with you guys later today.

This is a brilliant film- basically the crappy Forrest Gump "borrowed" the idea of an "out of touch guy" drifting through the world and impacting "puffed up" and arrogant politicians and elite. Basically our leaders are so stupid that an idiot could influence them