10 (1979)

Director:

Blake Edwards

Writer:

Blake Edwards (written by)

Release Date:

5 October 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

A temptingly tasteful comedy for adults who can count.

Plot:

A Hollywood songwriter goes through a mid-life crisis and becomes infatuated with a sexy blonde newlywed.

Plot Keywords:

Crush | Slapstick | Extramarital Affair | Bittersweet | Whimsical

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Dudley Moore	...	George Webber
Julie Andrews	...	Samantha Taylor
Bo Derek	...	Jenny Hanley
Robert Webber	...	Hugh
Dee Wallace	...	Mary Lewis
Sam J. Jones	...	David Hanley (as Sam Jones)
Brian Dennehy	...	Donald
Max Showalter	...	Reverend
Rad Daly	...	Josh Taylor
Nedra Volz	...	Mrs. Kissell
James Noble	...	Dr. Miles
Virginia Kiser	...	Ethel Miles
John Hawker	...	Covington
Deborah Rush	...	Dental assistant
Don Calfa	...	Neighbor

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

South Korea:18 | Australia:M | Norway:12 (video rating) | West Germany:16 | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:18 | Canada:18A | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:11 | Norway:16 (1980) | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:R | Peru:18

Filming Locations:

All Saints' Episcopal Church - 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Geoffrey Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Although this movie's title was widely understood to say that Bo Derek's looks rated 10 out of 10, the rating actually given to her character's looks in the scene where the subject arises is 11 out of 10.

Goofs:

Continuity: When George and Samantha are looking at each other through telescopes, the scopes are seen at angles away from each other, which wouldn't be possible if they are looking directly at each other.

Quotes:

George Webber: I was in the Royal Air Force as a matter of fact.
Bill Collins: I thought you had to be English to be in that.
George: You do.
Bill: You an English fella, huh?
George: Mm-hmm.
Bill: [after long reflection] That's all right.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Who's on First: The Movie (2005)

Soundtrack:

Don't Call It Love

Long, mildly amusing, and self indulgent.

There's not much to add to the other mediocre reviews of this film. "10" has small moments of humor that could be classified as comedy, but there's such a long and slow buildup to the funny parts, which themselves aren't all that funny, that it's hardly worth the effort.

If you're an exceptionally successful middle aged composer, who's married to a top Broadway singing actress, then you'll connect to this film. If your lifestyle includes watching the neighbors' orgies through a telescope from your hillside home, driving home from the dentist drunk and high in your late model Mercedes, then there might be something here for you.

Otherwise forget it. The parable's an obvious one that neither tells nor shows anything that most well rounded people don't already know. Ultimately it was an experiment that, on its own terms, is an absolute bomb, and adds nothing to the mid-life crisis theme. In short the characters are dumber than dirt, and the producers pulled a fast one on the movie going public.

The reason this film was as successful as it was was because the adolescents and pre-adolescents could see some T&A once the thing aired on cable or satellite. For that matter over sexed older males probably found it equally palatable. However, given the availability of more explicit material on the net today, this is, by comparison, somewhat tame.

Having said all this the performances are fine, but story and direction are rather lacking, and slow. Presumably this was done to make the speed of the film more appealing to an older generation. Yet, at the same time, there's a minor element of crude humor which seems patently out of place, the sex, and quirky-odd and unfunny slapstick that might raise a grin.

When all is said and done you have yourself a film that isn't worth a whole lot. Avoid if you can.