Being Julia
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: October 15, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews
Positive:
28
Mixed:
10
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
Suggests a cross between "Sunset Boulevard" and "All About Eve." The suggestion, alas, doesn't go very far, but Bening's performance approaches the pantheon. Read full review
60
VarietyTodd McCarthy
A minor affair, a confection based on dalliances and the way a set of sophisticated theater people handle them, that lacks true distinction. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyKim Morgan
But for all Bening’s high emoting and her trademark giggle, here overused to the point of annoyance, for most of its length Being Julia offers little insight into a woman whose life is ruled by theatrics. Read full review
60
The New York TimesDana Stevens
Being Julia may not make much psychological or dramatic sense, but Ms. Bening, pretending to be Julia (who is always pretending to be herself), is sensational. Read full review
60
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Films about great theatrical divas (so temperamental! So divine!) all strike familiar notes. This Somerset Maugham adaptation is no exception. But Annette Bening, playing the queen of the '30s London stage, makes it worth another go-round. Read full review
60
EmpireAnna Smith
It's a shame the suggested theme of identity remains undeveloped, but there are enough laughs and splashes of nostalgic glamour to excuse that. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Hungarian director Istvan Szabo (Sunshine) overplays his hand and traps Bening in a role that's all emoting, no emotion. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
It looks handsome but seems infected by the idea of playing different roles; a comedy in one scene, it adopts a mood of a high seriousness the next and clutters the stage with minor characters that contribute little. In the end, this inability to make up its mind does the film in. Read full review
50
Village VoiceLeslie Camhi
Bening's comic gifts make the most of Ronald Harwood's witty screenplay, though she falls flat in her character's rare moments of sincerity. Read full review
50
Portland OregonianMarc Mohan
The performance of Bening (and, quietly, Irons) keeps Being Julia from being too tiresome. Read full review
More From This Movie

65 Critic Reviews

7.5 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 71 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL