In STARTING OVER, 1970s heartthrob Burt Reynolds is wryly cast against type as Phil Potter, a mild-mannered husband and writer in this light-hearted comedy. Reluctantly forced into the role of bachelor when his songstress wife Jessica (Candice Bergen) calls it quits, Phil must essentially start from scratch in the social realm. Reynolds's comic timing is dead-on in this good-humored look at marital collapse and the trials of making a new start. Introduced to wary school teacher Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh), Phil has a chance to put the pieces back together and show his charm, but his new-found self-confidence is challenged anew when ex Jessica comes back in the picture.