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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 10/14/2010
4/5
Annette Bening is great, but this isn't for kids. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 05/03/2005
C
Benning ... brings this constantly disguised vixen to ferocious, flamboyant life. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer 11/18/2004
I enjoyed watching Ms. Bening in close to top form, and I think you will, too. Go to Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
2/5
Kam Williams Princeton Town Topics 02/17/2007
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Betsy Bozdech DVDJournal.com 10/22/2006
4/4
Annette Bening is the movie; her performance ... is the kind that will pop up on "best of" lists for years to come. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Glafira Regina O @Glafira_Regina 07/15/2025 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. See more Ron R @RT76285883 10/07/2024 The astonishing performance of Ms Benning is captivating and worthy of watching just for her. Outstanding! See more Uynga U @RT32500567 07/24/2024 Young Annet Benning is so beautiful See more Bahad j @RT27093708 07/23/2024 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. See more 04/24/2022 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. See more steve d @RT35616104 06/28/2020 I thought it was overacted and boring. See more 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