Being There

Synopsis:
Having lived his life as the gardener on a millionaire's estate, Chance (Peter Sellers) knows of the real world only what he has seen on TV. When his benefactor dies, Chance walks aimlessly into the streets of Washington D.C., where he is struck by a car owned by wealthy Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine). Identifying himself, the confused man mutters "Chance...gardener," which Eve takes to be "Chauncey Gardiner." Eve takes him to her home to convalesce, and because Chance is so well-dressed and well-groomed, and because he speaks in such a cultured tone, everyone in her orbit assumes that "Chauncey Gardiner" must be a man of profound intelligence. No matter what he says, it is interpreted as a pearl of wisdom and insight. He rises to the top of Washington society, where his simplistic responses to the most difficult questions (responses usually related to his gardening experience) are highly prized by the town's movers and shakers. In fact, there is serious consideration given to running Chance as a presidential candidate.

Nominations:
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Peter Sellers), 1980 Academy Awards, USA
Best Foreign Language Film, 1982 Awards of the Japanese Academy
Best Actor (Peter Sellers), Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine), Best Film, 1981 BAFTA Awards
Golden Palm, 1980 Cannes Film Festival
Best Director, Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy, Best Motion Picture Actress - Musical/Comedy (Shirley MacLaine), Best Screenplay, 1980 Golden Globes, USA

Awards:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Melvyn Douglas), 1980 Academy Awards, USA
Best Screenplay, 1981 BAFTA Awards
Best Foreign Performance (Peter Sellers), 1981 Fotogramas de Plata
Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy (Peter Sellers), Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role (Melvyn Douglas), 1980 Golden Globes, USA
Special Achievement Award (Peter Sellers), 1981 London Critics Circle Film Awards
Best Supporting Actor (Melvyn Douglas), 1979 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Actor (Peter Sellers), 1979 National Board of Review, USA
Best Cinematography, 1980 National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA
Best Supporting Actor (Melvyn Douglas), 1979 New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium, 1980 Writers Guild of America, USA

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