Concerned that her career may be on the decline, a middle aged theatre actress initiates an affair with a much young admirer who may just be using her in this jovial blend of comedy and drama based on a Somerset Maugham novel. Best known for Annette Bening's Oscar nominated performance, Bening is expectedly solid as the Margot Channing-like title character, though Jeremy Irons holds his own quite well as her aloof husband, spurting droll witticisms, and Michael Gambon is also superb as her deceased mentor who now coaches her every so often in spirit. Gambon's role is quite interesting as he represents a constant audience that Bening seems to imagine herself having (commenting on how well she is steering conversations) but the film may have benefited from using him more consistently throughout since he occasionally feels like a plot device. The film also culminates in an on-stage revenge pay-off that never quite seems as funny as it could have been (think 'Noises Off...'), however, generating laughs is not all that screenwriter Ronald Harwood and 'Mephisto' director István Szabó have in mind. The film is very much about the mindset of a famous actress who is accustomed to enjoying a certain amount of attention and who is cunning enough to get what she ultimately wants; by the end of the film, the question of who has really used who lingers. Miriam Margolyes also has an interesting role along these lines as Bening's lesbian financial backer who Bening manipulates with promises of swimming nude and meetings during massage sessions.

For me, this fact raises Bening to my 2nd place after Streep in my TOP Actress List... Usually, Brits (especially if from higher society) are played by Brits themselves; main cast members of Being Julia are British or Irish as well. Bening is really superb and for this role she got lots of praise, incl. Academy Award nomination.For many modern viewers, the plot may seem slow at times, as the screenplay is based on the 1937 novel Theatre by W. Somerset Maugham. But the background and atmosphere are well depicted - perhaps due to the fact that both directing and cinematography were performed by Europeans (Hungarians). Highly recommended to those fond of middle/high class life in the 1930ies. and/or intrigues and events related to theater and production.

I haven't read Somerset Maugham's novel entitled Theatre which the film was adapted into this film. While the film has a first rate cast, I kept thinking that the role of Julia Lambert could have been equally brilliantly played by Juliet Stevenson CBE who was playing Edie, Julia's long-time personal assistant. Miriam Margolyes OBE again plays a lesbian producer in this film who loves Julia almost as much as Julia loves herself. She is constantly followed by her old acting teacher played by Sir Michael Gambon. The film is about Julia who needs to find herself again. She finds love in a younger lover and wanted to consummate with an old friend who kindly tells her that he's playing for the other side. Jeremy Irons plays her husband and producer. The couple are quite a complement to each other. Julia retreats to visit her mother played by the divine Rosemary Harris and her Aunt Carrie played by Rita Tushingham. But still, Annette Bening does a superb job in making you feel for Julia Lambert.

The only reason I picked this film at the local library is because I had seen all of the other films they had to offer. From the very beginning I thought I was in for something rather lame, (The opening title sequence leaves something to be desired in the form of design.) As the film progressed I found myself pleasantly surprised. Being Juila turned out to be a wonderful film. I enjoyed the pace, the costumes, the humor, the writing, and the sets. I definitely will recommend this one to my friends. My roommate and I thought it was a bit ironic that Annette Bening plays a British actress, while Shaun Evans of Liverpool, England plays an American fanatic of Julia Lambert. Additionally, the film has made me think about the roles that we play in life. It makes me wonder which characters I play are actually me.