Review of Starting Out in the Evening (2007) by Walter M — 19 Dec 2008

In "Starting out in the Evening," Leonard Schiller(Frank Langella) is an aging novelist whose novels have long been out of print and now teaches English at a university. Aiming to rectify that is Heather Wolfe(Lauren Ambrose), a graduate student at Brown University who wants to write her master's thesis on Leonard's books. At first, he is hesitant, not wanting to be distracted from work on his latest novel(for the record there is no greater distraction than a redhead), but having survived a heart attack the previous year, mortality is creeping up on him and Heather's mention of a University of Chicago Press contact strikes a chord, as does her own publishing success in a literary journal.

"Starting out in the Evening" is a talky and theatrical movie that is salvaged by a marvelous performance by Frank Langella along with key support from Lili Taylor and Adrian Lester(Lauren Ambrose however does not fare as well). In fact, it is a late sequence between Langella and Lester that puts the movie in perspective. What it seeks to convey is the selfishness of writers in their solitary pursuit of glory. However, for Leonard who is reserved and shy, it is the perfect occupation. Considering he works not unlike a lot of other people to support his family, while also entertaining and enlightening the general public, how selfish can he be? Heather also made a choice between Brown University and her boyfriend back in Ohio and it is one she is happy with. And isn't having children itself selfish?