Being Julia

REVIEW
As a 1930s West End diva who must protect her territory, Bening is absolutely captivating, giving a spirited and witty portrayal of a woman always on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Julia Lambert (Bening) has reigned on the West End for two decades. She's married to handsome matinee idol Michael (Irons), is rich, famous, envied, sought after and appears to have everything. But she can't help feeling that something is missing. That something turns out to be the charms and arms of Tom (Evans), a brash, good-looking if poor American who idolizes Julia. Against her better judgment, Julia begins an affair with Tom while at the same time negotiating a new play. Meanwhile, Michael is starting his own affair with a Eve Harrington-like young actress who has also caught the eye of Tom and who is trying to maneuver her way into Julia's new play. What's a diva to do but turn the tables on one and all. Being Julia, based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel "Theater" and adapted by Ronald Harwood, is consistently genial and good-humored, and even quite cunning, though it doesn't achieve the level of great farce that it sometimes strives for. Not to worry, though, for Bening and company are in fine form, guaranteeing that this theater piece will leave one smiling throughout.