Being Julia (2004)
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Set in pre-Second World War London, the Canadian-American-Hungarian-British co-production of Being Julia is a wise, witty, and often uproarious celebration of womanhood in all its infinite variety. Based on the 1937 W. Somerset Maugham novel, Theatre, the film tells the story of a great stage actress, Julia Lambert (Annette Bening), who, in mid-life, must figure out her role both in real terms and on stage. Although at her peak, physically and professionally, her successful theatrical career and her marriage to handsome impresario Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons) have become stale and unfulfilling. She longs for novelty and excitement. She is introduced by her husband to Tom Fennell (Shaun Evans), a younger man who claims to be Julia's greatest fan. Finding his ardor irresistible, she decides that romance is the best antidote to a mid-life crisis and embarks on a passionate affair. Life becomes more daring and exciting, until Julia's young lover callously tries to relegate her to a supporting role. But on opening night of a new play, Julia reveals that she is a more formidable actress than anyone ever imagined.
Written when Maugham was well known and highly regarded for his urbane, cynical, and highly commercial plays, his volatile cast of characters were drawn from the real world he inhabited at the time. Being Julia combines lush period atmosphere with a series of timeless observations about men, women, life and art. The world of the theatre becomes a metaphor for the roles we all play in intimate relationships, the comedies, tragedies and melodramas that are a part of daily life.
104 minutes - Drama
Distributor: Think Film
Release date: October 15, 2004
DVD Release date: March 22, 2005
An article about Being Julia from our Take One archives.
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MAIN CAST:
Annette Bening
Jeremy Irons
Bruce Greenwood
Michael Gambon
Shaun Evans
Juliet Stevenson
Miriam Margolyes
Maury Chaykin
Lucy Punch
Sheilia McCarthy
Leigh Lawson
Rosemary Harris
Rita Tushingham
Thomas Sturridge
Catherine Charlton
Julian Richings
Mari Kiss
Ronald Markham
Terry Sachs
Catherine Charlton
Max Irons
George Lang
Michael Culkin
Marsha Fitzalan
Denzal Sinclaire
Teresa Churcher
Istvan Komlos
Bryan Burdon
Alison Jiear
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Mark Milln
Marian Pilowsky
Donald A. Starr
Daniel JB Taylor
Robert Lantos
Julia Rosenberg
Mark Musselman
Sandra Cunningham
Lajos Ovari
István Szabó
Ronald Harwood
Lajos Koltai
Susan Shipton
Mychael Danna
Julia Lambert
Michael Gosselyn
Lord Charles
Jimmy Langton
Tom Fennel
Evie
Dolly de Vries
Walter Gibbs
Avice Crichton
Grace Dexter
Archie Dexter
Mrs. Lambert
Aunt Carrie
Roger Gosselyn
Miss Phillips
Mr. Turnbill
Mr, Gosselyn's secretary
Butler
Chauffeur
Miss Philips
Casting Call Boy
Antoine, the maitre d'
Rupert
Florence
Singer/pianist
Cynthia
Prompter
Busker "Chamberlain"
Singer
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