SPOILER WARNING…
I watched Being There, tonight. I had seen it several years ago and all I remembered was the scene where Chance walks on water.
I’ve been reading (somewhat guiltily) Kitty Kelley’s biography of Oprah Winfrey. I’ve also been reading Chris Hedges’ Empire of Illusion. So perhaps I viewed the film in light of both of those books which claim we Americans are ultra-obsessed celebrity worshipers. What is Chance if not a celebrity by the end of the film? He’s achieved mythological status like Jesus. The guy can walk on water. It sometimes seems like people think Oprah walks on water, too.
Difference between Oprah and Chance? Oprah truly desired to walk on water while Chance had no such ambition. He just happened to “be there”. Actually, he was put there by the people who create the myths, like Oprah (both myth and myth maker).
Even Chance seems somewhat surprised at his water walking ability, although he only questions it enough to measure how deep the water actually is and then takes his water-walking ability at face value. Chance places no judgment upon his circumstances. He’s simply “there”, taking on what he learns from television and reflecting what people want him to be. But what about being “here”, in reality?? Does that even matter anymore?