Being Julia (2004)

Set in 1930s London, this movie involves stage actors and actresses and their experiences with love and revenge.

Director:

István Szabó

Writers:

W. Somerset Maugham (novel), Ronald Harwood (screenplay)

Stars:

Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Maury Chaykin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 18 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

1938. Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) and Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons) are the royal couple of the London theater scene, Julia, an actress, and Michael, a former actor, who took over running the theater and its troupe after the death of their mentor, Jimmy Langton (Sir Michael Gambon). Jimmy is still constantly with Julia in spirit as she navigates through life. Besides their work, Julia and Michael lead largely separate lives, they, long ago having stopped a sexual relationship. Julia of late has been feeling disenchanted with her life, she not wanting to admit it's because she is approaching middle age. Her disenchantments manifests itself in wanting Michael to close their current production early so that she can recharge her juices, something he is reluctant to do if only for not wanting to let the theater sit empty. What Julia ends up doing instead is embarking on an affair with Tom Fennel (Shaun Evans), an adoring young American who is young enough to be her son. As Julia and ...

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Plot Keywords:

open marriage | infidelity | unfaithfulness | adultery | older woman younger man sex | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Evie (Juliet Stevenson), Julia's (Annette Bening's) maid, insinuates that Dolly de Vries (Miriam Margolyes) may be a lesbian for always visiting during Julia's massages. This may be an in-joke, as Margolyes has been with her partner, Heather Sutherland, since 1968.

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Goofs

When Tom first dances with Julia in a nightclub, he is clearly seen wearing a square-faced wristwatch. This is the Cartier given to him a few scenes later by Julia. He shouldn't be wearing a watch at all in this early scene, having pawned his own round-faced watch to pay for the night's entertainment.

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Quotes

Michael Gosselyn: [speaking of Tom] He's awfully good-mannered... for an American.

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Connections

Version of Au théâtre ce soir: Adorable Julia (1973)

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Soundtracks

I Get a Kick out of You
Written by Cole Porter
(c) Warner Bros. Inc.
Performed by Henry Hall and The BBC Dance Orchestra
Licensed courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Acting Up A Storm

Tom Sturridge in a lovely performance as Roger, Julia's son, puts it beautifully in a soft confrontation with his mother. "You're playing, mother, or playing wife..." Yes, acting as a way of life as a way of being. Tricky. Ronald Harwood can write the ins and outs of theatrical life better than any living soul - remember "The Dresser? - This is not any way near as good or as insightful but is charming and fun. Lilli Palmer played the part back in the 60's in "Adorable Julia" and she was adorable indeed as is Annette Bening in a tour de force performance with regular interruptions to give plenty of space to the trade mark Bening giggle. Shaun Evans plays the young man, the object of Julia's desire, her frustrating emotional holiday and I must admit, that's the one element that should have sizzle instead of fizzle. Shaun Evans is a good actor but it doesn't have anything that would make us understand the folly attraction that awakes in Julia. He plays an American but appears bland, as bland as a British actor can be when he's bland. I longed for a Billy Crudup or someone younger, a Brad Renfro. Can you imagine what the movie would have been like with a Heath Ledger in that part? Unless, of course, the whole thing was intentional to underline Julia's absurdity. An actress on the verge of a nervous break down. Comparasions with "All About Eve" are ridiculous. That would be like comparing "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest" with "The Couch Trip"

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [United States]

Country:

Canada USA Hungary UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Being Julia

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$122,214, 17 October 2004

Gross USA:

$7,739,049

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,339,171

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