Get Out: Being There at NWFF

Tonight's the final night of the final film in the Northwest Film Forum's Hal Ashby series, and it's a good 'un. Being There is the story of Chance the Gardener, a simple man whose straight-forward innocence charms everyone he encounters in upper crust Washington D.C. As played by Peter Sellers, television-loving Chance hews closely to Kirk Lazarus' sage advice that an actor should never go "full retard." Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas also turn in solid performances as the D.C. power couple who take Chance in to their palatial estate after a minor car accident. Though it came out in 1979, the film's satirical look at politics, the press, high society, and media hypersaturation is just as relevant now, if not moreso. Think Forrest Gump with more dark wit and less aw-shucks, and then get yourself to the Northwest Film Forum tonight for Being There's final two screenings.

7, 9:30 p.m. // NWFF // 1515 12th Ave // $8.50