Starting Over
Published 2015-08-05
Film info
- Title Starting Over
- Directors Bernie Goldmann, Melisa Wallack
- Year 2007
- Run time 1hr 33m
- Genres Romance, Comedy, Drama
- Tagline A comedy about someone you know
- Cast Aaron Eckhart, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Wiig, Timothy Olyphant, Jason Sudeikis
On paper, Bill can't complain. With a secure job and long-term marriage to wife Jess, life seems pretty steady. However, when Bill becomes suspicious of Jess's fidelity, things rapidly unravel. Realising his career is in a slump and his marriage is falling apart, Bill's fortunes change when he begins tutoring a self-assured teenager who, it turns out, has far more to teach him about life than appearances would suggest. And then, Bill meets Lucy and his world is turned upside down all over again.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1:48 | They are far too clean to be school toilets. No graffiti or anything. |
| 7:15 | He doesn't eat donuts. I don't like donuts but no one tends to believe me. |
| 8:30 | "You work at a bank. I like money." |
| 19:12 | Gun shop in a department store. Of course. |
| 23:37 | Why would he watch that with other people? Awkward! |
| 30:11 | He's a properly cool kid. |
| 36:45 | "She has a restraining order." "Well, work it out." |
| 39:50 | Wiig and Sudeikis are a good couple, probs could do with a film for them too. |
| 41:50 | Apologise is a really rubbish catchphrase! |
| 55:32 | That switch from fake smile to frown from Elizabeth is brilliant. |
| 1:01:17 | "Whatever you do, make sure you make a lot of money doing it, because it ALL SUCKS." |
| 1:12:03 | I worry about a cigarette in a tent. |
| 1:25:26 | He looks much better with the short hair, phew! |
Thoughts
Confusingly, this was listed on iTunes as a relatively new film, but it became clear very quickly that it wasn't - if only for how young Elizabeth Banks is in it! It's a great little film, wonderful to see the interactions between grumpy Bill and his super-smart mentee - although the kid's relationship with slightly older Jessica Alba felt more creepy.
Anyway, it felt like the bad times at the start went on for a bit long, I was really starting to feel quite depressed for Bill. But it's a good journey once it gets going, and everyone gets their comeuppance. I liked that it was a happy ending but not really a resolution - being aware that you need to change is the first step to a brand new life! Ultimately a good film, although perhaps not hugely memorable.
Rating: 3 / 5