Starting Out in the Evening

Starting Out in the Evening traverses familiar territory - a younger woman pursues an older man whose artistic instincts are deeply entwined with her own development. It would be nice to see the roles reversed (impressionable, young man and brilliant, older woman) some time, but that pattern change wouldn't be enough to upset the inevitable outcome of this type of relationship.

Frank Langella is very good as the writer whose out of print books Lauren Ambrose's grad student intends to resurrect. He's a disciplined, principled gentleman who doesn't know what to do with the disruption to his routine. The interaction with his daughter, played by reliably engaging Lili Taylor, offers further insight into the damage his rigid devotion to his work has caused. He can't see that her deference to a disapproved of boyfriend is learned behaviour. He's late to the realization that he could've led his life differently.

A major strength of the movie is its exploration into things literary. Autobiography in writing is discussed and so is the effect of writers on readers. When Ambrose began to tell Langella what his work meant to her, I sank into my seat a little, thinking whatever she was about to confess would be too personal. Idolization, even plain adoration, can come off as hopelessly cheesy if you're on the outside of the worship. But my worry was unfounded. The exchange between the two in this scene neatly captures the relationship between reader and writer. She tells him (paraphrased) he's always explained her life to her more sympathetically than she ever could herself. Good writers do that. They take experiences and emotions that are recognizable and make the reader feel that they can relate. The details and words may be different but the reader can see pieces of their own life on the page.

Bottom line, if you like to write or read, you'll enjoy the conversation about both. If you want to know more about the film, see what the critics are saying.