A mild mannered, divorced writer, Phil Potter
(Burt Reynolds) attempts to get on with his life following his
divorce, from his unfaithful wife, Jessica (Candice Bergen), a
wanna be, self-absorbed song writer, who dumped him.
After he finds out that his wife was sleeping
with his boss, and she wants a divorce, he packs up what he owns
in a suit case, and heads for Boston where his brother, Dr. Michael
Potter (Charles Durning) and caring, motherly sister-in-law, Marva
(Frances Sternhagen) live, who immediately introduce him to Marilyn
Holmberg (Jill Clayburgh), a talented nursery school teacher.
Although Phil is not really ready for a new romance, he enters
into a relationship with Marilyn Holmberg, after dating a few
other women. Humorous consequences arise when Phil's ex-wife,
Jessica unexpectedly drops in on him, just as Marilyn is moving
in with him. It creates a huge dilemma for Phil, as it seems that
Jessica wants him back.
In between Phil's experiences, we go with Phil
to his divorced men's workshop held in the basement of a church.
The members of Phil's support group for divorced men talk about
the problems of being divorced in a humorous, yet poignant way,
and offer Phil sound advice, which helps him make the right choices
in his struggles.
This clever screenplay, by James L. Brooks ("Terms
of Endearment" and "The Simpsons"), explores, in
a humorous way, the various problems, and challenges that result
from a divorce. Brooks also co-produced it.
The solid pacing and great direction of this
film shows the versatility of the late Alan Pakula, who usually
was known for his direction work on such dramatic films such as
"The Pelican Brief," "Sophie's Choice," "All
The President's Men," and "Klute." This romantic
comedy is quite a departure, and an accomplishment, for him.
The film was shot on location, in Boston, in the
Winter. The film benefits from, real, well lensed, (if chilly),
locations. The talented, much-admired Swedish Sven Nykvist did
the cinematograhy. Nykvist worked on a long list of films with
Igmar Burgen, and won two Oscars for his film work on "Cries
and Whispers," and "Fanny and Alexander." He also
worked with Woody Allen on "Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Nykist is a meticulous artisan who operates the camera himself,
as well as doing his own lighting.
Burt Reynolds and Jill and Candy are all great!
Both Candace and Jill received academy award nominations for their
performances in this film.
Candace excels as the self-absorbed, tone-deaf
song writer, Jessica, who after she kicks her husband, Phil out,
decides that she wants him back after experiencing about 4 months
of the freedom she thought she wanted.
Jill Clayburgh is brilliant in her portrayal
of a woman, who despite her rule of not dating recently divorced
men, finds herself falling in love wih Phil, who temporarily breaks
her heart when he tries to reconcile with Jessica.
This is one of Reynold's best roles, and does
a great job showing his unmacho character's vulnerability, his
stress of having to start over, his uncomfortable plunge into
the dating scene, and his conflicting feelings he has when he
has to choose between his new love, and his ex wife who now wants
him back. He finally comes to a final decision concerning Jessica,
and comes back to what he truly feels, and goes back to the person
he truly loves after talking to a member of his support group.
A favorite scene takes place between Bergen and
Reynolds. Although their marriage was ended by their divorce,
Bergen attempts to seduce him back, after Phil has already fallen
in love with Marilyn. Wearing a see-through blouse and with some
REALLY BAD singing, she sings her newest hit, "Better than
Ever," hoping to take him back. Candace sang her heart out,
extremely off-key. Both Candace and Reynolds kept a straight face,
and stayed in character, being the professionals that they are.
The entire cast is a talented ensemble, well-casted
for their parts. Even small, supporting characters are memorable,
having great moments. Phil's psychiatrist brother, Michael Potter
(Charles Durning), and his motherly sister-in-law, Marva Potter
(Frances Sternhagen), do their best to be helpful and support
Phil emotionally as he struggles through his personal pain and
the dilemmas of the storyline.
A favorite sequence of scenes between Durning
and Reynolds happens in the funriture section of a department
store, where Reynolds and Clayburgh were looking for a sofa. Phil(
Reynolds) has a panic attack and can't breathe, and his brother,
Dr. Michael Potter (Durning) is called to come help him. Humorous
and poignant at the same time, this scene forces Phil to make
a choice.
Mary Kay Place has a very funny bit part as the
first woman, Marie, that Phil takes out on a date since his divorce.
She is her usual hilarious self.
The members of Phil's support group for divorced
men (notably Alfie Wise, Austin Pendleton, and Wallace Shawn)
talk about the problems of being divorced in a humorous, yet poignant
way, and have a small but important role in the storyline.
A favorite scene takes place between Bergen and Reynolds. Although
their marriage was ended by their divorce, Bergen attempts to
seduce him back, after Phil has already fallen in love with Marilyn.
Wearing a see-through blouse and with some REALLY BAD singing,
she sings her newest hit, "Better than Ever," hoping
to take him back. Candace sang her heart out, extremely off-key.
Both Candace and Reynolds kept a straight face, and stayed in
character, being the professionals that they are.
"Starting Over," though squirmy in parts, is hilarious,
and offers lots of laughs and truths about relationships. This
makes it a good dating video. People who remember dating during
the 1970's will especially enjoy this film.
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