Thomas Drufke
"10" is far from a masterpiece, in fact, it's much more of a goofy 70's rom-com than anything else, but there's a little bit more heart and quite a few more laughs than I thought there would be here. The film is about a man (played by Dudley Moore) going through a mid-life crisis as he realizes his age is creeping up on him as he's failing to provide a spark in his relationship with the one and only Julie Andrews. What follows feels like a movie made specifically for sexually deprived teenagers, but there's definitely a little bit more to it than that. George Webber (Moore) is a film composer recognized by everyone for his famous ballads, but he rarely shares an intimate moment with people for various reasons. Spending his nights desperate to find his music again and spying on his neighbor who consistently hosts sex parties, there's not a lot going for Webber. But when he stumbles upon a young newly married woman, things begin to change. The actual plot itself isn't the most interesting, especially as it consistently meanders into slapstick comedy. I mean, George literally has a mid-day fantasy of Bo Derek slowly running on a beach Baywatch style for over a minute. It's not exactly the most tightly written or directed feature. However, I did at least connect to the Webber character in part. His relationship to Andrews is touching at times, and I have a special place in my heart for film composers. Henry Mancini's score is another gem and it's definitely a film that can be enjoyed in the background if you turn your brain off for a few hours.6.4/10
Hitchcoc
I do like Dudley Moore. He was a master musician, teacher, and comic. The problem was that his characters seem to bank on lowest common denominator efforts. Because most of us don't have the male credentials to entice someone like Bo Derek, we are left to only imagine. So what we have is a sad man who unhappy with what he has, making a fool of himself. It sets up another comedy by an odd looking little man, Gene Wilder, in The Woman in Red. The parts of the movie that are fun are the sight gags and pratfalls. This goes back to the roots of comedy, to the pathos of a Charlie Chaplain. But putting this into contemporary thought, we know it ain't gonna happen. Bo Derek is certainly quite the beauty, but other than the object of desire, doesn't have much to offer--or perhaps the plot doesn't. This is a pretty forgettable comedy, even with good intentions.
SnoopyStyle
Popular songwriter George Webber (Dudley Moore) turns 42. He tells his singer girlfriend Samantha Taylor (Julie Andrews) that his life started at 40. He's having a midlife crisis. He is constantly fixated on young women. He follows one in particular who is a bride on her way to her wedding. Jenny Miles (Bo Derek) is the daughter of a prominent Beverly Hills dentist. He is struggling with the constant orgy next door, problems with Sam and drilling Jenny's father for information which leads to six cavities. He becomes fixated on Jenny and even follows the newlyweds on their honeymoon in Mexico.George is utterly sad, pathetic and not always funny. He just isn't adorable like his character in 'Arthur'. They're both sleazy sex fiends but there's a meanness in George. Whereas Arthur is self-destructive, George is simply selfish. It's not quite as appealing. Also Arthur has a soul mate which Julie Andrews isn't playing in this movie. I'm probably less attracted to her character here more than anything. There are moments of fun but they are fleeting.
Wuchak
Released in 1979, "10" is about George Webber (Dudley Moore), a Hollywood composer having a mid-life crisis who rashly decides to follow his dreamgirl (Bo Derek) to a Mexican resort where she's on her honeymoon. Julie Andrews plays his girlfriend, Robert Webber his gay friend in the business, Brian Dennehy his bartender in Mexico and Dee Wallace a potential one-night-stand. "10" is more of an amusing drama than a full-tilt comedy. Although there are pratfalls and 1-2 laugh-out-loud moments there are a lot of slow sequences that are extended shots in one take, which means the actors actually had to act. This is different today where the actors only have to act for each 10-second (or less) cut.What I like best about "10" is that it's like going back in time to 1978. I like Bo Derek but, despite her beautiful face and disposition, she's not actually a '10' in my humble opinion. She needs to gain at least 15 lbs as she's just too thin and unshapely. I'd take Dee Wallace over her any day. Julie Andrews appears with her hideous haircut. I kept thinking to myself, "I bet she'd be beautiful with some nice locks of hair" and later in the film it shows her in a play with a wig of long hair and -- sure enough -- she's gorgeous.BOTTOM LINE: "10" is a mildly amusing adult dramedy with numerous slow stretches, but it's highlighted by the 70's chic, quality locations, a handful of attractive women and a good message despite the debauchery. The film runs 122 minutes and was shot in Beverly Hills, Malibu, L. A., Pasadena, CA, and Manzanillo, Colima, MexicoGRADE B
AD
