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Being Julia
By
Source: Catholic News Service
A few bright spots in an otherwise tedious adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel, "Theatre," about a larger-than-life English stage actress (Annette Bening) who has an open marriage with her producer husband (Jeremy Irons), and takes up with an earnest young American accountant (Shaun Evans) in her husband's employ. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo is no stranger to period drama, having succeeded brilliantly with films like "Mephisto" and "Sunshine," but was perhaps the wrong choice for a film that doesn't quite ring true in its depiction of the 1938 period or very English locale (it was shot mainly in Budapest). Nor is American Bening completely convincing either, in spite of some effective moments. Evans as the young man is far too contemporary in his demeanor, though otherwise the blue chip cast -- including Juliet Stevenson, Bruce Greenwood, Michael Gambon, Rosemary Harris and Rita Tushingham -- is fine. A few instances of crude language, casual depiction of extramarital sex and an instance of rear nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.
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