Being There-Peter Sellers at his best

We had a wonderful time exploring Detroit recently. We tried feather bowling, a weird combination of curling, Bocce, and shuffleboard--you bowl in long, dusty, rounded lanes. We explored an indoor Saturday market, wandered through an old-style antique/junk store, and visited the fish at the newly re-opened Aquarium on Bell Island.

One night, we snuggled in to watch a few movies and I suggested an old classic, Being There, starring Peter Sellers.

Being There is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby with a wonderful cast including Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas. Sellers plays a low-key, quiet character, Chauncey Gardner (a huge departure from his more famous role as Inspector Clouseau in Pink Panther).

Middle-aged, simple-minded Chauncey lives a wealthy old man's townhouse in Washington, DC. The movie starts when Chauncey is forced to leave the only home he has ever known after the old man dies. He has spent his whole life tending the garden. His only education has been what he's learned from television. Chauncey walks out with an alligator suitcase, top hat, umbrella, and an exquisite, bespoke wardrobe passed on to him by the old man. To all appearances, he presents himself as a successful man of means.

Chauncey's wealthy appearance convinces everyone he meets that he is wise and well educated. His many gardening comments are perceived to be wise metaphors. Even the President thinks that Chauncey is wise and mysterious! His wardrobe and demeanor propel Chauncey to the highest pinnacle of power, even though there's no substance behind any of it.

Perspective creates reality, and this movie brings this to life. Being There proves the point that clothes make the man. Even his most mundane comments seem like insightful words of wisdom.

We see what we want to see--it's an unavoidable. However, we can take the time to look again for a second, third, or even fourth perspective. Your perspective creates the world you live in. The movie, Being There is a delightful reminder of this fact.

I hope you find the time to watch this old favorite. You will smile and be reminded of the power of perception.