Chance is a simpleminded man who spends his days tending to his garden and watching television. When the old man who has provided him shelter dies, Chance is forced out into the world for the first time where he goes, TV remote in hand. While strolling along aimlessly, bound for certain doom he accidentally falls in with the wife of an industrialist who welcomes him into their house. There Chance manages to impress many of the higher-ups, including the President of The United States, with his childlike manner, which is mistaken for wisdom and classiness among other things. Being There, directed by the great director Hal Ashby and scripted by Jerzy Kosinski from his own novel, is a wicked satire, taking jabs at the upper class, television, and the Washington political machine. It stars Peter Sellers, the chameleonlike comedic genius, in a sublime and dialed down performance and Melvyn Douglas is wonderful in an Academy Award winning role as the tycoon who takes a liking to Sellers character. It is also worth mentioning the ending of the film which is unique, challenging, and cause to stir debate.
