Being There 1979

Frank Rich, TIME Magazine: Here is a comedy that valiantly defies both gravity and the latest Hollywood fashion. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Hal Ashby directs Being There at an unruffled, elegant pace, the better to let Mr. Sellers's double-edged mannerisms make their full impression upon the audience. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: No one seems to know what to do with the allegorical undertone of Jerzy Kosinski's script, but as a whole this 1979 film maintains a fine level of wit, sophistication, and insight. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Satire is a threatened species in American film, and when it does occur, it's usually broad and slapstick, as in the Mel Brooks films. Being There, directed by Hal Ashby, is a rare and subtle bird that finds its tone and stays with it. Read more

Chris Auty, Time Out: What emerges in the end is a strange ambiguity of attitude to the American political system and a hollow humour about cultural values. The cinema of cynicism, really. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: A highly unusual and an unusually fine film. Read more