Starting Over (1979)

Taglines: Phil Potter would like to straighten out his life…One way, or the other.

Starting Over movie storyline. Set adrift by his wife Jessica’s announced desire to leave him and pursue a career as a professional singer, Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds) is confused and devastated. He leaves their home and goes to spend some time with his relatives who are, not coincidentally, psychiatrists. He joins a support group consisting of other divorced men and finds consolation where he can.

Jessica (Candice Bergen), meanwhile, is discovering that no matter how well-dressed and attractive a person is, in order to be a singer one actually has to be able to sing; unfortunately, singing is not one of her talents. Phil meets Marilyn Holmburg (Jill Clayburgh), a gentle and unassuming schoolteacher who refuses to commit herself to him.

Starting Over is a 1979 American comedy film based on Dan Wakefield’s novel, produced by James L. Brooks, and directed by Alan J. Pakula. Starring Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, and Candice Bergen, it follows a recently divorced man who is torn between his new girlfriend and his ex-wife.

It was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Clayburgh) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Bergen). Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager wrote three original songs for the film, “Easy for You,” “Better Than Ever”, and “Starting Over”, which are sung by Bergen live in the film as she is creating them but sung by Stephanie Mills for their radio versions.

Directed by: Alan J. Pakula
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, Frances Sternhagen, Austin Pendleton, Mary Kay Place, Jay O. Sanders, Charles Kimbrough, Wallace Shawn
Screenplay by: James L. Brooks, Dan Wakefield
Production Design by: George Jenkins
Cinematography by: Sven Nykvist
Film Editing by: Marion Rothman
Costume Design by: John Boxer
Set Decoration by: Philip Smith, Harold McConnell Jr.
Music by: Marvin Hamlisch
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: October 5, 1979