Being Julia

Uninteresting plot, unlikable characters

It's easy to stereotype actresses. They've always had a relentless public spotlight shine on them at all times; nearly everything they do is documented through tabloids, books and critics. They're notoriously labeled as stuffy, haughty and soulless. In "Being Julia", the story of Julia Lambert, an English stage actor of the early 20th century, the stereotypical perception of actresses holds true. Even though forty-five year old Julia-eminent, respectable, and talented-has a caring husband, a lot of money, and a steady stream of jobs, she's depressed. And not only is she depressed, but she's stuffy, haughty and soulless, which makes it hard to sympathize with any of her problems.

How could someone like Julia-comely, wealthy and artistic-be unhappy? In "Being Julia", we're given reasons for Julia's unhappiness, but they are inconsequential, ridiculous reasons. Her unhappiness stems from soap-operatic stuff: she is worried about being old and ugly; she's confused about her estranged son; and she's out of touch with her husband. Her life's troubles just aren't interesting.

After identifying the sources of her unhappiness, Julia decides to have an affair with an American half her age. This alleviates some of her depression. The American, Tom, is sorely underwritten; he gives an impression of aloofness and social ineptitude that seems completely undesirable. But Julia is inexplicably entranced by him.

The chemistry between Julia and Tom is forced and unrealistic; they rarely have anything interesting to talk about, and their moments of joy-mostly through sex-are rather bewildering; I never believed they could have liked each other at all.

The relationship eventually fails, bringing hope that Julia will learn something. But instead of reevaluating her life, Julia looks to take revenge on Tom. Her idea of revenge is insipid, her motives ludicrous, and I rooted against her, annoyed by the ridiculous choices she had made. Hating the protagonist is probably not what screenwriter Ronald Harwood intended, but he treats his characters sloppily, giving them unlikable personalities with no redeeming qualities. All the English aristocratic characters perfectly fit the vain, superficial and uninteresting aristocratic stereotype while making brainless choices at the same time.

Annette Bening has been getting Oscar buzz for her performance in "Being Julia", and I can see why; her character is practically bipolar, showing off some incendiary, extreme emotions. But it's a performance only to admire, not to enjoy. Julia never appeals to the audience, and neither do the rest of the characters, caught up in their own petty affairs, learning nothing from their idiotic mistakes.

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