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What's After the Movie?
Romantic comedy

Starting Over (1979): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Starting Over (1979) movie poster

Starting Over is a 1979 romantic comedy directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Burt Reynolds, Candice Bergen and Charles Durning. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $35.6 million worldwide. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 64 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$35.6M
award nominations
6
Metascore
64
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Starting Over (1979) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Alan J. Pakula
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
Filipino
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Starting Over About?

The premise of Starting Over without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Years after parting ways, Toni and Piolo are unexpectedly reunited, prompting them to confront their past and consider a future together. This heartwarming comedy-drama explores the challenges and possibilities of second chances in love, examining whether old feelings can be rekindled or if they have both truly moved on.

Starting Over Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • hairy chested male
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • neo screwball comedy
  • female songwriter
  • feminism
  • female psychiatrist
  • psychiatrist
  • husband wife psychiatrists
  • woman attacks a man
  • divorced men's workshop
  • marital reconciliation
  • bloomingdale's new york city
+38 more
  • based on the novel of the same name
  • writer producer
  • producer director
  • unfaithful wife
  • divorced man single woman relationship
  • school carnival
  • meet cute
  • romantic comedy
  • rom com
  • falling in love
  • new york city
  • blind date
  • failed seduction
  • nursery school teacher
  • part time teacher
  • professional basketball player
  • thanksgiving dinner
  • church basement
  • living together
  • eavesdropping on a telephone call
  • ex wife new girlfriend relationship
  • awkward situation
  • boston celtics
  • basketball practice
  • brother brother relationship
  • marital separation
  • courtship
  • charity bazaar
  • loneliness
  • matchmaker
  • nursery school
  • singing offkey
  • furniture store
  • freelance writer
  • magazine writer
  • loss of confidence
  • bachelor apartment
  • manipulative woman
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Cast & crew

Starting Over Cast

Burt Reynolds leads the cast, with Candice Bergen and Charles Durning. Directed by Alan J. Pakula; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Starting Over Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Starting Over 64 on Metacritic.

Plot

Starting Over Plot Summary

What happens in Starting Over from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the bustling streets of New York City, we meet Phil Potter, portrayed by Burt Reynolds, a freelance magazine writer who finds himself entangled in personal turmoil as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged wife, Jessica, played by Candice Bergen. Unfortunately for Phil, Jessica is resolute in her desire for a divorce, eagerly seeking a new chapter in her life as an aspiring singer-songwriter. With only a single suitcase in tow, Phil leaves the life he once knew and relocates to Boston, Massachusetts, where his supportive brother, Michael “Mickey” Potter, portrayed by Charles Durning, resides.

Full summary

The whole story of Starting Over, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Starting Over Box Office

Starting Over grossed $35.6 million worldwide.

1979 box office

Worldwide gross

$35.6M

US & Canada
$35.6M
Awards

Starting Over Awards & Nominations

Starting Over was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 6 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Golden Globes 1980.

6 nominations2 ceremonies

  • Golden Globe Awards logo
    Golden Globes 1980 4 nominations
    • Nominated Best Original Song
    • Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actor) – Burt Reynolds
    • Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actress) – Jill Clayburgh
    • Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress) – Candice Bergen
  • Academy Awards (Oscars) logo
    Oscars 1980 2 nominations
Videos

Starting Over Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Starting Over (1979) Trailer
  • Clip Starting Over - Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Starting Over?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the character Phil Potter?

Cars

Cars in Starting Over

24 cars on screen, including the 1978 Dodge Omni and the 1975 Ford Econoline.

All 24 cars
  • 1978 Dodge Omni in Starting Over 1978 Dodge Omni Important role
  • 1975 Ford Econoline in Starting Over 1975 Ford Econoline Important role
  • 1977 Cadillac Seville in Starting Over 1977 Cadillac Seville Minor role
  • 1974 Checker Taxicab in Starting Over 1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role

Seen Starting Over?

FAQ

Starting Over FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Starting Over, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Starting Over?

Starting Over runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Starting Over released?

Starting Over was released on October 5, 1979.

Who directed Starting Over?

Starting Over was directed by Alan J. Pakula.

More films by Alan J. Pakula

Who is in the cast of Starting Over?

Starting Over stars Burt Reynolds, Candice Bergen and Charles Durning, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Starting Over make at the box office?

Starting Over grossed $35.6 million worldwide.

How is Starting Over rated?

Starting Over has 64 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Was Starting Over nominated for any awards?

Starting Over received 6 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Starting Over have a post-credit scene?

No. Starting Over has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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