Watch Starting Out in the Evening

Starting Out in the Evening is a 2007 drama film that portrays the life of a reclusive literature professor, Leonard Schiller (played by Frank Langella), who wants to finish his career on a high note by completing his final book. Leonard is an old-school writer who is not interested in following the trends of contemporary literature. His writing is centered around the ideas of humanism and personal morality, which are not appreciated by the younger generation.

The story is set in New York City, where Leonard lives in a small apartment with his daughter, Ariel (played by Lauren Ambrose). Ariel is a struggling graduate student who wants to write about her father's work. She believes that her father's literature deserves more recognition and plans to publish a thesis on his work. Ariel's dedication towards her father's work is partly due to her own interest in writing and partly due to her admiration for Leonard.

The story takes a new turn with the arrival of Heather Wolfe (played by Patti Perkins), a young, ambitious graduate student who wants to collaborate with Leonard on his final book. Heather's arrival marks a changing point in Leonard's life. She is everything that Ariel is not: young, trendy, and ambitious. Leonard finds himself intrigued by Heather's passion, and he is impressed by her intellect. Heather's interest in his work makes him feel relevant, and he gradually develops a relationship with her.

The relationship between Heather and Leonard is not sexual or romantic but rather intellectual. They have long conversations about literature, life, and personal morality, which Leonard finds refreshing. Heather's arrival also changes the dynamics of Ariel's relationship with her father, who she feels is being seduced by Heather's youth and enthusiasm. Ariel becomes skeptical of Heather's intentions towards her father and, in turn, develops a sense of competition with her.

The film is about the relationship between these three characters who are at different stages of their lives. Leonard is at the end of his career and feels that he has not achieved much success. Ariel is at the beginning of her career and seeks to make a name for herself by writing about her father. Heather, on the other hand, is ambitious and wants to make a name for herself in academia. The film explores their personal and professional struggles, their desires, and the various conflicts between them. It portrays the complex relationships between the characters and highlights the various emotional and intellectual conflicts that emerge due to their age and experience differences.

The movie is visually stunning, with splendid shots of New York City, the protagonist's apartment, and the intellectual conversations between the characters. The film's pace is slow yet engaging, allowing the audience to experience the characters' conflicts and emotions in depth. The acting is phenomenal, especially by Frank Langella, who portrays Leonard with subtlety and depth.

What is remarkable about Starting Out in the Evening is its portrayal of the nature of writing, the creative process, and the personal and professional struggles that writers face. The film is a celebration of the art and craft of writing and emphasizes the significance of personal morality that underlines genuine writing.

Overall, Starting Out in the Evening is a thought-provoking film that delves deep into themes of personal morality, creativity, and intellectual pursuits. It provides a unique insight into the lives of writers, their struggles, and their relationship with literature. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves literature, the creative process, and the complexities of human relationships.

Starting Out in the Evening is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 78.