Being Julia

This movie was mostly noticed for Annette Bening’s bravura tour de force in the title role, but it’s actually quite a good film. Her star turn is well supported by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon, Bruce Greenwood and Juliet Stevenson, and if the “juvenile” leads are a little, well, juvenile, then their callowness only sets off the majesty of the diva. The subject is the monstrous, magnificent self-absorption of actors, and the inversion they accomplish in making their life in the theater real, and their life in the world into playacting. Julia/Annette may be on the downslope of her prime, but will do whatever it takes to keep her pump primed. She re-charges her emotions by having a playful then painful affair with a boy not much older than her son, but then takes to the stage to work out the truth of her feelings. Istvan Szabo has mastered historical and theatrical backgrounds (here, London in 1938) in such films as Mephisto, Colonel Redl, and Sunshine, so his direction is sure and seamless. The result is both entertaining and truthful, serious and farcical, the double face of the actor’s trade. (2004, dvd, n.) *7+* (MC-65, RT-75.)