Being Julia (2004)

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

Director:

István Szabó

Writers:

Ronald Harwood, W. Somerset Maugham (novel)

Stars:

Michael Gambon, Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Tale of amorous folly and revenge set in the world of the London stage in the late 1930's. Reigning diva Julia Lambert's success and fame grow suddenly wearisome. She falls head over heels for a young American, Tom, and begins a passionate May - December affair. When she realizes that Tom is just a young social climber whose real passion is ambitious young starlet Avice Crichton, Julia begins to plot a delightful revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | open marriage | 1930s | diva | marriage | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [United States]

Country:

Canada USA Hungary UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2004 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Conociendo a Julia

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$271,408 (Australia) (18 March 2005)

Gross:

$7,739,049 (USA) (1 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Serendipity Point Films, First Choice Films, Hogarth Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Miranda Richardson was originally attached to play Julia Lambert.

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Goofs

Michael hands Julia a beer bottle that he opened by twisting off the cap; this innovation wasn't introduced until the mid-1960s.

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Quotes

Julia Lambert: [to Evie] If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, stop thinking!

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Connections

Featured in The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005)

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Soundtracks

"They Didn't Believe Me"
Written by Jerome Kern and Herbert Reynolds
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by Alison Jiear

User Reviews

A most excellent movie

This movie is a great bit of fun: over the top in all the right places, and with many laugh out loud moments. It is bright, emotional, engaging, and witty, just like the title character, acted to perfection by Annette Bening.

It's brilliantly acted from top to bottom, with wonderful performances from even relative newcomers, Lucy Punch and Shaun Evans. I especially loved how the many layers of the original work are brought across: how real can be the fantasy world of theatre, and how fantastic the real world may seem in opposition to it. In theatre, they say timing is everything. That's very true about the bulk of the situations in this movie. I would definitely see this movie again.