Being Human MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -1 1/2

"This is the story of a story," says the narrator at the beginning of BEING HUMAN. The story covers a period of thousands of years, and in each time period the central character is named Hector (Robin Williams). First, he is a cave dweller whose wife and two children are taken away from him by strangers. Later, he appears as a Roman slave who dreams of freedom and returning to his family. Then he becomes an army deserter in medieval Europe. As he makes his way home, he is seduced by an Italian widow (Anna Galiena). Gradually Hector evolves into a contemporary figure. This time he is divorced and visiting his children for the first time in four years. This gentle, sometimes poignant, humorous story about losing and the desire to regain family relationships shows a subdued Williams. BEING HUMAN is not as appealing as MRS. DOUBTFIRE, but its theme of family separation strikes a familiar chord.

The film shows the struggles of man, in different historical times, restoring broken relationships with his family. Cave man Hector's feelings of helplessness as his family is taken from him are just as strong as when Hector of the 90's deals with divorce. Unfortunately, along Hector's way we are subjected to two urination scenes and a somewhat graphic sex scene between Hector and the Italian widow. A shipwreck scene includes two hangings in the background with a cross used as the scaffold. When Hector's Roman master commits suicide by stabbing himself in the stomach, Hector pulls out the bloody knife. "Realistic" foul language is saved for the contemporary setting with regular profanity and a few obscenities. But Hector stops himself from saying one obscenity in front of his children. Clearly, BEING HUMAN delivers strong messages about the importance of solid family relationships.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522