Raul Faust Well, watching a 1979 movie may be a new thing for me. I rarely watch movies that old, mainly because I think things were extremely different in the past. For some reason, "Starting Over" is a movie that shows people just like they are, including nowadays. Sadly, the whole plot isn't too entertaining or engaging, since it's quite simple, but some things are interesting to notice. First, thanksgiving dinner scene is brilliant; they show an extremely uncomfortable situation, mainly when everyone stays in silence thinking "what should we do now". It's interesting to notice that some social protocol are never changing. All in all, it's a weak movie that brings nothing new to the genre, but if you're looking for an old picture to compare with nowadays', maybe you'll like this.

zardoz-13 "All the President's Men" director Alan J. Pakula stepped out of his comfort zone so to speak to helm this lightweight 'divorce' romance comedy with Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, and Frances Sternhagen. Previously, the closest that Pakula came to "Starting Over" was "The Sterile Cukoo" (1969) and "Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing" (1973). Usually, Pakula specialized in dark-themed conspiracy thrillers, such "Klute" and "The Parallax View," or melodramas like "Comes A Horseman," "Rollover," and "Presumed Innocent." Not only was Pakula venturing out of his usual zone, but also Burt Reynolds definitely stepped out of his comfort zone, too. Reynolds made "Starting Over" between his "Smokey and the Bandit" movies and "Hooper." Although both Clayburgh and Bergin received Oscar nominations respective for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Reynolds didn't get a Best Actor nod for what is essentially one of his more winning as well as offbeat performances. He did receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical/Comedy for his performance in "Starting Over." Indeed, Reynolds is more subdued than you can ever imagine this action hero being. He slows down his cadence and displays a vulnerability that was never apart of his action hero roles. Reynolds' wardrobe reflects this change-of-pace casting. He dons sweater vests to wear with his sports jackets and trench coat. Reynolds plays Phil Potter. His wife Jessica (Candice Bergen of "Bite the Bullet") has slept with his boss and she gives Burt the boot. Phil is heart-broken that his wife is kicking him out. He didn't want to part company with her, but she has a popular tune hit and is able to go out on her own. You know that you're watching a comedy because Bergen's character has no vocal talent and sounds distressingly off-key. Here is a sample of the lyrics of her song: "I'm sure I've cried more tears than you-ooh-ooh, but I've gotta be more than a shadow of my mannnnnnnn-nuh." A dejected Phil starts over with the help of his older brother Michael (Mickey) Potter (Charles Durning of "The Choirboys") and his wife Marva (Frances Sternhagen of "Outland") and they set him up with a variety of women. When he isn't dating, Phil participates in a divorced men's workshop in the basement of a church. These scenes are amusing in themselves because the women constantly antagonize the men into leaving early. Meantime, the winner of all the women that Phil sees is a school teacher, Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh of "An Unmarried Woman"), but they endure a rocky romance, principally because Phil hasn't gotten over his ex-wife. Incredibly enough, just as Phil is adjusting to his new life and getting along with Marilyn, Jessica shows up to collapse that house of cards between Marilyn and Phil. When Phil tries to reunite with Jessica, Marilyn asks him to swear on his brother's life that he won't bother her again. Of course, this is not to be and Phil and Jessica cannot rekindle the glow that once warmed their romance. "Starting Over" is just a change of pace for both Pakula and Reynolds that you could almost ignore it, were it not for scenarist James L. Brooks' adaptation of Dan Wakefield's novel. Interestingly, Reynolds had appeared earlier in another lightweight football comedy that was derived from Wakefield's novel "Semi-Tough." It is refreshing to see Reynolds play a role that doesn't require him to pack a pistol or perform dangerous automobile stunts. Actually, he does run a small car off a road onto a snowy embankment where he crashes into a tree, but it isn't a life-or-death stunt. The funniest scene occurs when Phil and Marilyn are shopping at Bloomingdale's for a sofa and Phil experiences a panic attack. Eventually, Micky comes to his rescue and convinces Phil that he was just hyperventilating. Mickey asks the spectators if any of them have a Valium and everybody tries to fork over the medication. If you want to see Burt Reynolds stretch himself as an actor and watching an entertaining comedy, "Starting Over" is a good start.

bodoe5783-1 this film is very well done, portraying those very real situations that people find them selves.first off, in small but very important, vibrant roles, Mary sternhagen, and Charles durning once again prove their worth, their talent, and their ability to MATTER to a story. both of these actors are just fantastic at recognizing their roles, and DELIVERING more than needed. just fantastic.also look for Austin Pendleton, in a small but vital role playing it to the hilt. he is a spectacular actor who deserves way more credit and recognition then he receives from Hollywood. versatile, fantastic actor. without actors like him, Hollywood would never survive.as to the two female leads, well, one and a half, as i can't see why Candice bergen would be nominated for an academy award for this limited performance. she is definitely a major part of the story, BUT NOT A MAJOR FORCE ON THE SCREEN. now, Jill clayburgh, on the other hand is so good in her role here, and so believable, that she definitely deserved recognition. she has the character, the personal trauma, the desperation, the fear down pat. bergen, on the other hand, while she does nail the character, is not that memorable at all.and Burt Reynolds, is is usual magnificent self, giving 110 % to the story, the character, the production.if you are an aspiring actor, STUDY Burt Reynolds. he is far more than a plastic banana head sex symbol, leading man. he is of the same cloth of classic actors Humphrey Bogart, Clark gable, john Wayne.....he gets the character down, and gives his all.this film is a keeper, very well done, and keeps your rapt interest in the final outcome, WHICH IS NOT ETCHED IN STONE, by any means. it can go either way.well produced, well directed, and well acted.

ijonesiii After several years as a comic book action hero, Burt Reynolds took a calculated career risk at becoming a romantic leading man in the 1979 comedy STARTING OVER and the risk paid off in spades. Reynolds turned in his best performance up to this point as Phil Potter, a writer whose wife (Candice Bergen) has just divorced him who enters, perhaps a bit too quickly, another relationship with a neurotic schoolteacher (Jill Clayburgh. This smartly directed comedy, lovingly directed by ALan J. Pakula hits all the right notes and introduces characters you care about. Bergen also opened up a whole new career for herself, showing a flair for light comedy, which resulted in her first Oscar nomination. Her musical seduction of Burt with "Better than Ever" is one of the funniest scenes in film comedies ever. Bergen's performance here was largely responsible for her being offered the role of Murphy Brown. Clayburgh (also nominated for an Oscar) is just as good, creating a quirky and heartbreaking character who evokes laughs and sympathy. It has been well documented over the years that Reynolds was deeply hurt when both of his leading ladies here received Oscar nominations and he did not. Then to add insult to injury, the Best Actress Oscar that year went to his girlfriend at the time, Sally Field. Burt should have been nominated for this film...it was beautifully controlled performance that was nothing like he had ever done before. Charles Durning and Frances Sternhage offer strong support as Phils' brother and sister-in-law and don't overlook those wonderful scenes with Burt's Divorced Men's support group. A winning romantic comedy that finally proved Burt Reynolds really knew how to act.