- This article is for the 1971 book and 1979 movie. For the 1996 album by the band Wilco, see Being There (album) .
Being There is a political, satirical 1971 novel by Jerzy Kosiński and a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby. The film stars Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard A. Dysart and Richard Basehart. The screenplay was adapted by Jerzy Kosiński and Robert C. Jones (uncredited). It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Melvyn Douglas) and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Peter Sellers).
Synopsis
Being There depicts the story of a gardener named Chance (Peter Sellers) who grew up living as an employee on the estate of a wealthy man in Washington, D.C. with virtually no contact with the outside world and no social interaction. Apart from his limited relationship with Louise, the maid, Chance's cultural and social education is derived entirely from what he watches on the televisions provided by his employer.
When his employer dies, Chance is forced to leave his sheltered existence in the house and discover the world outside for himself. His simplistic, intentioned speaking style is interpreted by those he encounters as a sign of great wisdom, and after a car accident which leads him into the company of a powerful rich businessman (Melvyn Douglas), Chance finds himself quickly rising to national public prominence.
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