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Being Julia

Play trailer Poster for Being Julia R 2004 1h 44m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 120 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) is a popular but aging stage actress who is losing passion for her career. Her husband and director, Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons), introduces her to a young American actor, Tom (Shaun Evans), who professes admiration for her. Julia and Tom start an affair, but soon she realizes that Tom is just using her to advance his own career and that of his other girlfriend, actress Avice Crichton (Lucy Punch). Julia befriends Avice, all the while plotting her revenge.
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Being Julia

Being Julia

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Critics Consensus

Annette Bening delivers a captivating performance in Being Julia, a sophisticated comedy that follows a 1930s stage diva who experiences an identity crisis at age 40.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Annette Bening is great, but this isn't for kids. Rated: 4/5 Oct 14, 2010 Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Benning ... brings this constantly disguised vixen to ferocious, flamboyant life. Rated: C May 3, 2005 Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer I enjoyed watching Ms. Bening in close to top form, and I think you will, too. Nov 18, 2004 Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Rated: 2/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Kam Williams Princeton Town Topics A beguiling romance about an aging actress at the peak of her career who embarks on an ill-advised, illicit affair with an admirer half her age. Rated: 3/4 Feb 17, 2007 Full Review Betsy Bozdech DVDJournal.com Annette Bening is the movie; her performance ... is the kind that will pop up on "best of" lists for years to come. Rated: 4/4 Oct 22, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Glafira Regina O Julia looks every bit her well-maintained 45 years. She’s on a diet, restricting herself in many ways to preserve her appearance and keep playing 20-year-olds. Yet, everything's already been achieved: the fame, the accolades, even a son—but... it all feels bland. Thus, T.O.M. gifts Julia something more vital than success—air, youth, a taste of real life—not theatrical, artificial, or cyclical, but something raw, physical, and sensual. Anyone who's read the book knows how essential this was for Julia—to love. There's no talk of "sublimation" here. Avice Crichton, a caricature of emptiness, believes that great actresses' fates are sealed in the bedroom. She moves toward her goal steadily until she stumbles when asked to improvise. If she had stood up to Julia—oh, the scandal that would’ve erupted! Avice can act, seemingly well, but only within the strict confines of text, staging, and costume. The ending? Absolutely brilliant. On stage, Julia doesn’t just emphasise meaning—she creates a new narrative, a new reality, reclaiming her husband, Tom, and the audience, all while revealing who’s truly in charge. Her husband was already on board with the new Julia Lambert. Even the patroness with her not-so-subtle preferences didn’t seem opposed, as long as there was income... and a beautiful body. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Ron R The astonishing performance of Ms Benning is captivating and worthy of watching just for her. Outstanding! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Uynga U Young Annet Benning is so beautiful Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/24 Full Review Bahad j I am very happy that the movie shows us the steps and choices that are necessary in the life of a great person. I like the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/23/24 Full Review Audience Member Such a great movie. I wasn't sure at first but it was sich great acting and a superb unravelling of the plot. I highly recommend this movie. Annette Benning is marvelous. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review steve d I thought it was overacted and boring. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Being Julia

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Cast & Crew

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István Szabó

Director

Annette Bening

Julia Lambert

Jeremy Irons

Michael Gosselyn

Bruce Greenwood

Lord Charles

Miriam Margolyes

Dolly de Vries

Juliet Stevenson

Evie

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Being Julia

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Movie Info

Synopsis Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) is a popular but aging stage actress who is losing passion for her career. Her husband and director, Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons), introduces her to a young American actor, Tom (Shaun Evans), who professes admiration for her. Julia and Tom start an affair, but soon she realizes that Tom is just using her to advance his own career and that of his other girlfriend, actress Avice Crichton (Lucy Punch). Julia befriends Avice, all the while plotting her revenge.
Director
István Szabó
Producer
Robert Lantos
Screenwriter
Ronald Harwood
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Serendipity Point Films, Myriad Pictures, Hogarth Productions, First Choice Films
Rating
R (Some Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 15, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 8, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.7M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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