Movies

The 1979 movie Being There starring Peter Sellers and directed by Hal Ashby centers on a man named Chance (played by Peter Sellers) whose life took a turn for the better since the accident with Ben Rand who was a wealthy businessman and close to the President of the United States.  Since that time, Chance happened to be at the right place at the right time when Rand introduced him to the affluent members of society and political leaders.  His answers to their questions during conversations are very timely as his simple words are regarded as profound by those around him.  He answers so well that nobody knew he is just a lowly gardener and everybody thinks he is one of them.

The movie is regarded as a satire of American politics in the sense that it depicts government officials and politicians, from the FBI agents to the President as clueless, shallow-minded and to a certain extent, gullible, tending to take things at face value when being told something such as the scene when Chance and the President were talking about stimulating growth.  Chance was talking in terms of gardening while the President understood it as something for the economy which impressed him and thinking Chance as a smart person, he compared him to the members of Congress whom he wish would possess such characteristics which was apparently lacking (Sellers).

If there is one thing this scene symbolizes is that the Presidency is assumed by men who are no so bright and this would remind one of the President Obamas predecessor who was regarded as such.  But this is not limited to the presidency but other politicians as well who are very good at speeches but weak in action.