Being Julia (2004)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

István Szabó

Writers:

Ronald Harwood (writer)
W. Somerset Maugham (novel)

Release Date:

28 October 2004 (Israel)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Passion. Obsession. Revenge. Prepare for the performance of a lifetime.

Plot:

Set in '30s London, the film involves stage actors and their experiences with love and revenge.

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Actress | 1930s | Social Climber | Diva

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Michael Gambon	...	Jimmie Langton
Annette Bening	...	Julia Lambert
Leigh Lawson	...	Archie Dexter
Shaun Evans	...	Tom Fennel
Mari Kiss	...	Mr. Gosselyn's Secretary
Jeremy Irons	...	Michael Gosselyn
Ronald Markham	...	Butler
Terry Sach	...	Chauffeur
Catherine Charlton	...	Miss Philips
Juliet Stevenson	...	Evie
Miriam Margolyes	...	Dolly de Vries
Max Irons	...	Curtain Call Boy
Andrew Paton Story Busher	...	Male Singer
George Lang	...	Antoine the Maitre D
Michael Culkin	...	Rupert

Also Known As:

Csodálatos Júlia (Hungary)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Canada | USA | Hungary | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Sweden:Btl | Brazil:12 | Ireland:15 | Malaysia:U | Hungary:14 | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-11 | Hong Kong:IIB | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | UK:12A | USA:R | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Serendipity Point Films

Trivia:

Miranda Richardson was originally attached to play Julia Lambert.

Goofs:

Continuity: Tom tells Julia that Michael has given him a box for the opening of the new play. When we see Tom after Julia makes an obvious reference to him by saying, "B-E-N," he is seated not in a box but in the orchestra section, next to Julia's son and in front of Julia's male friend.

Quotes:

Julia Lambert: Real actresses don't make films.
Tom Fennel: Beautiful actresses do.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Streets of Cairo

All About Julia – A Delightful Tale About Theatrical Life, Manipulation, Love and Revenge

In 1938, in London, the successful and famous theater actress Julia Lambert (Annette Benning) has an open marriage with her husband and manager, Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons). She meets Tom Fennel (Shaun Evans), an ambitious young man of half of her age that wants to socially rise, they have an affair and she has a crush on him. Later, Tom has an affair with the aspirant starlet Avice Crichton (Lucy Punch) and uses Julia to get a part for Avice in her new play. Julia travels abroad, visits her mother and when she returns to London, she plots a magnificent revenge.

"Being Julia" is a delightful tale about theatrical life, manipulation, love and revenge. Annette Benning is adorable in the role of Julia, a veteran actress that shines with a love, and shines more with her evil revenge. In a certain moment, the story recalls "All about Eve", but the final twist is wonderful and makes the difference. The music score is also very beautiful, and this movie is a great entertainment. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Adorável Júlia" ("Adorable Julia")