Starting Over

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, Starting Over follows Burt Reynolds’ mild-mannered Phil Potter as he attempts to move on from his divorce (to Candice Bergen’s Jessica) by embarking on a tentative relationship with a quirky teacher (Jill Clayburgh’s Marilyn). Filmmaker Pakula, armed with James L. Brooks’ screenplay, delivers an exceedingly (and sometimes excessively) subdued endeavor that benefits from its assortment of first-class performances, and there’s little doubt, certainly, that Reynolds’ often uncharacteristically low-key efforts are regularly eclipsed by his scene-stealing costars – with, especially, Bergen’s completely captivating work as Phil’s self-absorbed ex standing as a continuing highlight within the proceedings. (Bergen is undoubtedly responsible for the picture’s most indelible, showstopping moment, too, as Jessica attempts to win Phil back by badly singing a self-penned song.) And although it’s rarely as engrossing or captivating as Pakula has surely intended, Starting Over, buoyed by the director’s penchant for eye-catching visuals (eg a striking single-take shot set within Phil’s divorced-men’s group, generally comes off as an agreeable-enough comedy that is, in the end, far more forgettable than one might’ve hoped.

**1/2 out of ****