"Being Julia" is based on a short novel he wrote about one of the great ladies of the West End: another Mrs. Still if we think Maugham dated, just recall three years ago they did a second movie of "The Painted Veil". I did see "The Circle" in 1990 on Broadway and it was entertaining, but I thought it required an audience willing to give it some slack considering the dialog (it seemed at time too talky). But his short stories and novels remain powerful fodder for movies to this day, if his plays seem to be a trifle too elegant for modern tastes. So what is recalled as "his" most famous play was rally not "his". But "Rain" the play was based on his short story not on any play he wrote. Today everyone who thinks of Maugham the dramatist does not think of "The Circle", or other plays of his, but of "Rain" (i.e. In his day Maugham was probably one of the top three or four British dramatists (with Shaw, Coward, and Pinero) on the West End. For Somerset Maugham is concentrating on his favorite world - where he made his first real mark. But we are aware of this, and yet are not concentrating on it. It is 1938 and the clouds are building up across the channel from Germany and Czechoslavakia. Overall though, found myself liking it very much. Some of the pace could have been tighter at times, towards the end it drags a bit. More problematic is Bruce Greenwood, of all my recently seen film viewings Greenwood is among the biggest miscasts and comes over as out-of-place (and it is not just that he is completely unconvincing as a Brit, everything about him was wrong). Shaun Evans has improved significantly over-time, absolutely love him in 'Endeavour', but he is rather colourless in 'Being Julia' and it is not helped by Tom being very underdeveloped and cliffs-notes like. Did think that two performances didn't work. Anybody wanting a likeable or rootable protagonist will be disappointed, but she isn't meant to be. The story entertains and moves, with a twist that leaves one floored and while the ending is over the top it does stay with one forever. The script is sharp, amusing and thoughtful, like Maugham's writing, love the witticisms. The music captures the period with great affection and fits without being obtrusive or being over-obvious, very beautiful and infectious. It is a good looking film, those costumes of Julia's are to die for in particular. Istvan Szabo gets a lot out of the cast and the chemistry throughout is natural, also balancing the material without being overly-theatrical or too stagy. Jeremy Irons does a great and beautifully restrained job as the rather underwritten character of Michael, while Lucy Punch is radiant and Juliet Stevenson enjoys herself thoroughly. One mustn't overlook the rest of the cast, Michael Gambon is splendid and a clear standout. She is nothing short of amazing and is the absolute embodiment of Julia. Absolutely agree with all that Annette Bening is the reason to see 'Being Julia'. It may not work for some viewers, some may find it over-the-top and affected while many others will find it entertaining and well made and played, count me in in the latter category. On its own, as a standalone which has always been a fairer way to judge to me, 'Being Julia' is very good. As an adaptation of the book, it leaves a lot to be desired with much cut out and too many of the characters are underwritten due to their roles being reduced. 'Being Julia' does nothing to waste its talent and is well worth seeing, deserving of its generally favourable reviews here. Somerset Maugham was an interesting writer, some say that he is old-fashioned and his work hasn't aged well but to me he deserves being celebrated and love his insight, wit, sharp prose and charm, which deserves to be adapted more on film and the general solid standard of the adaptations seen of his proves this. The cast were the biggest draw into seeing 'Being Julia', hard to resist such great talent like Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon and Juliet Stevenson.
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