Starting Over
Burt Reynolds is an attractive middle-aged man who suffers a crisis of confidence when ditched by his ambitious singer wife (Candice Bergen), until he begins to forge a new new relationship with an equally insecure teacher (Jill Clayburgh). But when the wife attempts a reconciliation - seduction followed by a truly excruciating song she has composed for him - he realizes where his loyalty lies.
Despite its tight budget of $10.0M, Starting Over became a box office success, earning $35.6M worldwide—a 256% return. The film's compelling narrative found its audience, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 7 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Starting Over (1979) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Alan J. Pakula's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Phil Potter sits alone in his apartment after his wife Jessica has left him, establishing his devastated emotional state as a newly divorced man in his forties.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Phil meets Marilyn Holmberg at a nursery school where she teaches. He's immediately drawn to her authenticity and warmth, offering the possibility of genuine connection beyond his failed marriage.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Phil decides to fully commit to building a relationship with Marilyn, actively choosing to move forward with his new life rather than remaining stuck in the past., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Jessica re-enters Phil's life, wanting him back after her own failures. This false defeat threatens everything - Phil's unresolved feelings for Jessica put his relationship with Marilyn at risk., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Marilyn ends the relationship, unable to compete with Phil's ghost of a marriage. Phil has a panic attack in Bloomingdale's, a symbolic death of his ability to function while torn between two worlds., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Phil gains clarity and chooses Marilyn, finally understanding that starting over means letting go of who he was and embracing real change. He knows what he wants and is ready to fight for it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Starting Over's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Starting Over against these established plot points, we can identify how Alan J. Pakula utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Starting Over within the comedy genre.
Alan J. Pakula's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Alan J. Pakula films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Starting Over represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alan J. Pakula filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Alan J. Pakula analyses, see All the President's Men, Presumed Innocent and Consenting Adults.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Phil Potter sits alone in his apartment after his wife Jessica has left him, establishing his devastated emotional state as a newly divorced man in his forties.
Theme
Phil's brother Mickey tells him that starting over isn't about finding someone new, it's about finding yourself first - the core thematic question of whether Phil can truly change.
Worldbuilding
Phil moves to Boston to start fresh, staying with his brother Mickey and wife Marva. We see his struggle to adjust to single life, his lingering attachment to Jessica, and his awkward attempts to re-enter the dating world.
Disruption
Phil meets Marilyn Holmberg at a nursery school where she teaches. He's immediately drawn to her authenticity and warmth, offering the possibility of genuine connection beyond his failed marriage.
Resistance
Phil hesitantly pursues Marilyn while dealing with his insecurities about dating again. Mickey and Marva encourage him but he resists commitment, still emotionally tied to his past. Marilyn is patient but cautious about his readiness.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Phil decides to fully commit to building a relationship with Marilyn, actively choosing to move forward with his new life rather than remaining stuck in the past.
Mirror World
Phil and Marilyn's relationship deepens as she represents everything Jessica wasn't - honest, grounded, emotionally available. She becomes the thematic mirror showing Phil what healthy love looks like.
Premise
Phil and Marilyn fall in love, exploring their relationship with humor and tenderness. Phil experiences the joy of genuine connection, learning to be vulnerable. These are the romantic comedy moments the audience came for.
Midpoint
Jessica re-enters Phil's life, wanting him back after her own failures. This false defeat threatens everything - Phil's unresolved feelings for Jessica put his relationship with Marilyn at risk.
Opposition
Phil becomes torn between Jessica and Marilyn, unable to fully commit to either. His indecision hurts Marilyn deeply. Jessica's manipulations and Phil's weakness threaten to destroy his chance at real happiness.
Collapse
Marilyn ends the relationship, unable to compete with Phil's ghost of a marriage. Phil has a panic attack in Bloomingdale's, a symbolic death of his ability to function while torn between two worlds.
Crisis
Phil spirals in despair, realizing he's lost the real thing by clinging to a fantasy. He processes that Jessica represents his past patterns and fears, while Marilyn represented genuine growth and love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Phil gains clarity and chooses Marilyn, finally understanding that starting over means letting go of who he was and embracing real change. He knows what he wants and is ready to fight for it.
Synthesis
Phil pursues Marilyn, makes a grand gesture proving his commitment, and wins her back by demonstrating he's finally ready for real love. He confronts Jessica and his past, choosing his future.
Transformation
Phil and Marilyn together, fully committed. Unlike the broken man at the start, Phil is now whole, having learned that starting over required becoming someone new, not returning to who he was.