Being Julia – (2004) Or how about Bening Julia? Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) is a famous but aging actress of the stage in London 1938: her only reality is the theatre, her mentor Jimmy Langton (Michael Gabon) repeatedly reminds her, though he’s been dead fifteen years; what the civilians call reality out there is fantasy. Based on W. Somerset Maugham’s short story “Theatre,” Julia and her husband Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons), who have “a very modern marriage,” living separately but happily, own their own theatre in partnership with wealthy Dolly, are having a successful run with a play; but Julia has lost her enthusiasm and wants a vacation.

An American admirer lacking financial means, Tom Fennel (Shaun Evans), half Julia’s age, seduces her into a love affair. Though she sees him for what he is, a contemptible snob, nevertheless, “she finds the affair exhilarating and feels ten years younger.” Tom then falls in love with Avice Crichton (Lucy Punch), a young, blonde, aspiring actress, whom he promotes into a role in Julia and Michael’s next play. After her audition Avice also wins the part of Michael’s mistress. She signs a Faustian contract, not realizing Julia’s scheme to get revenge on all of them on the stage. Her son Roger tells her, “I don’t think you really exist.”

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2007 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

Patrick Ivers can be reached via e-mail at .