Starting Over **** (1979, Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, Candice Bergen) – Classic Movie Review 7024

Candice Bergen plays rock-star ex-wife Jessica.

Director Alan J Pakula’s charming 1979 comedy-romance effectively casts Burt Reynolds as Phil Potter, the romantically inclined divorced writer who falls in love but finds he cannot choose between sweet teacher Marilyn Holmberg (Jill Clayburgh) and his rock-star ex-wife Jessica (Candice Bergen).

Pakula directs the delightful script by James L Brooks (Broadcast News), based on a novel by Dan Wakefield, with a delicate feel for bittersweet comedy that manages to avoid enough of the slush usually inherent in this kind of movie.

A fine support cast gives good value, especially Charles Durning as Reynolds’s dad Michael, and watch out for young Kevin Bacon who makes a fleeting appearance as a young husband.

It was nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Jill Clayburgh) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Candice Bergen). It was nominated for four Golden Globes: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Jill Clayburgh), Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Burt Reynolds), Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture (Candice Bergen) and Best Original Song – Motion Picture: ‘Better Than Ever’ by Marvin Hamlisch (music) and Carole Bayer Sager (lyrics).

Also in the cast are Austin Pendleton, Daniel Stern, Frances Sternhagen, Wallace Shawn, Mary Kay Place, MacIntyre Dixon, Jay O Sanders, Charles Kimbrough, Richard Whiting, Alfie Wise, Sturgis Warner, Mary C Wright, George Hirsch, Ian Martin, Gaby Glatzer, Ben Pesner and Mort Marshall.

Starting Over is directed by Alan J Pakula, runs 106 minutes, is produced by Century Associates, is released by Paramount, is written by James L Brooks, based on a novel by Dan Wakefield, is shot by Sven Nykvist, is scored by Marvin Hamlisch and is designed by George Jenkins.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7024

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