Starting Over (1979)

47% of users liked it
(1,281 ratings)

Scripted by James L. Brooks from Dan Wakefield's novel, Alan J. Pakula's romantic comedy follows the tribulations of a freshly divorced man as he looks for love with a wary single woman. Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds sans mustache) can't quite believe it when his aspiring songbird wife Jessica (Candice… More Scripted by James L. Brooks from Dan Wakefield's novel, Alan J. Pakula's romantic comedy follows the tribulations of a freshly divorced man as he looks for love with a wary single woman. Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds sans mustache) can't quite believe it when his aspiring songbird wife Jessica (Candice Bergen) kicks him out to realize her career dreams, but the added revelation of her adultery speeds him out the door by choice. Relocating to Boston, Phil starts to settle in with the help of his psychiatrist brother Mickey (Charles Durning), joining a divorced men's therapy group. Phil really begins to feel better when Mickey and his wife Marva (Frances Sternhagen) set him up with her friend Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh), a preschool teacher who has had her share of grief from newly single men. Phil wins her over and even convinces her to move in, but an unexpected visit from a regretful, saucily clad Jessica, and an anxiety attack over buying a couch, threaten to end Phil's new life with Marilyn before it has a chance to start. Starting Over offers a ruefully comic look at how the decade's rising divorce rate did not mean fun and games for all the new bachelors; Brooks' movie debut after a sparkling career in 1970s TV with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, it was also proof that top '70s star Reynolds could be more than just a good 'ol boy. Still, while the three leads were all praised for their work, only Clayburgh and Bergen received Oscar nominations. Starting Over was a moderate hit, and its humorous yet down-to-earth view of single life and its discontents reassured unattached thirtysomethings that, even though it may not be easy, everything could still turn out fine in modern romance. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Alan J. Pakula
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Oct 5, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Jun 21, 2005

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A better story than you'd probably expect for a film of this kind of this vintage.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
A whole lot better than most of the divorce-centric comedies of this ilk, mainly because it focuses on the characters and not the act of divorce itself.

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Danny R

A truly engaging comedy of modern manners. a love trangle, with two brilliant lead star performances by Burt Reynolds and the late Jill Clayburgh. Reynolds in one his finest performances as Phil Potter, a newly divorced man struggling to choose between a teacher Marilyn Holmberg,… More
A truly engaging comedy of modern manners. a love trangle, with two brilliant lead star performances by Burt Reynolds and the late Jill Clayburgh. Reynolds in one his finest performances as Phil Potter, a newly divorced man struggling to choose between a teacher Marilyn Holmberg, played so endearingly by Jill Clayburgh in a Oscar nominated performance, and his capricious, song writing ex-wife Jessica Potter, played by scene stealer Candice Bergen, who is marvelously funny, especially when she is singing to Burt with a voice that could wake the dead, her comedic talents are very evident here, there are other marvelous scenes like the church-sponsored divorced men's discussion group that Burt's a part of, it is hilarious with sharp witty dialogue. Terrific supporting performances from Charles Durning, Frances Sternhagen, Austin Pendleton, and Jay O. Sanders. A smart, warm romantic gem from the late 70s, smoothly directed by Alan Pakula, and wonderfully written by James L. Brooks. Highly Recommended.

Cast

            Burt Reynolds as Phil Potter

            Jill Clayburgh as Marilyn Holmberg

            Candice Bergen as Jessica Potter

            Charles Durning as Michael "Mickey" Potter

            Frances Sternhagen as Marva Potter

            Austin Pendleton as Paul

            Macintyre Dixon as Dan Ryan

            Jay O Sanders as Larry

            Richard Whiting as Everett

            Sturgis Warner as John Morganson

            Kevin Bacon as Husband (Young Couple)

            Anne De Salvo as Wife

            Russell Horton as Man #2

            Charles Kimbrough as Salesman

            Tara King as Checkout Girl

            Marvin Lichterman as Husband

            Mort Marshall as Room Service Waiter

            Ian Alexander Martin as Doorman

            Gilmer McCormick as Stephanie

            Sol Schwade as Man in Market

            Wallace Shawn as Workshop Member

            Lisa Sloan as Mother of Kid

            Helen Stenborg as Older Woman

            A.C. Weary as Athletic Father

            Alfie Wise as Workshop Member

            Mary Catherine Wright
            
            Mary Kay Place as Marie

            Tony Romano as Boston Man

            Daniel Stern as Student 2

            Michael Herz & Llyod Kaufman as Clerk

            Simon McQueen as Bloomingdale's Crowd

            Nadine Darling
            
            Kitty Muldoon
            
            John Murray as Bloomingdale's Couple
See full cast