Starting Over

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Starting Over is available in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 70 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Burt Reynolds leads a cast with real comic timing. Put it on tonight on Kanopy and see for yourself.

There is a reason Starting Over keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Starting Over from the crowd. After divorcing his ambitious singer wife, a middle-aged man begins a new relationship with a teacher. Burt Reynolds and Jill Clayburgh lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It was released in 1979. The timing in Starting Over is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Starting Over respects your intelligence. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Burt Reynolds's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.

Starting Over was released in 1979, directed by Alan J. Pakula. The full 105-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.