"10"

"A temptingly tasteful comedy for adults who can count".
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Good Morning, All! Among the"firsts" since I launched "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" (on February 15, 2005, as I recall) we're about to do another. Namely, re-run a film for the 3rd time. Why? Well, for one thing, this has been one hell of a week in all of humanity for reasons that should be obvious by now to us all. Secondly. I featured Dudley Moore in a snippet from the movie "10" and wish to maintain some continuity. Lastly, while most of you will remember Dudley Moore for 1981's "Arthur", I remain firm in my conviction that he was given a far more brilliant role in the film that catapulted both he and Bo Derek (amazingly unknowns here in the United States in 1979) in the epic "10", ...and without apologies!

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For newcomers, this is Blake Edwards' {"Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961), "Days of Wine and Roses" (1962) and I'd be bereft without mentioning "The Pink Panther" and "A Shot in the Dark" (1964) among scores of Blake's lengthy tome of films up to the present day} hysterical story of an immensely successful 42 year old Hollywood songwriter, George Webber (Moore) who seemingly "has it all". As Moore's gay business partner and lyricist "Hugh"--played by the late Robert Webber--and his explanation to a then-38 year-old Julie Andrews about "male menopause", I strongly suspect that his message will resonate among the women who view this beach scene conversation sufficiently enough to cancel the TV program "Dr. Phil"! Either that, or I will be enlisted as a keynote speaker to untold Women's Club Luncheons and various soiree's! Long remembered for the sheer physical comedy and slapstick that later made "Arthur" a successful movie, Moore takes the audience along on a wild and unpredictable journey through a severe mid-life crisis, and an unbearable angst about his mortality. Moore is seated in his Roll Royce at a Los Angeles stop light, when he casually glances over at a beautiful young girl dressed in a wedding dress and sitting in her her limousine on the way to the church and he sees "a vision", if not his salvation from his agony in "Jennifer"--ah yes, the breathtaking Bo Derek. The ensuing slap stick that Edwards employs in this film has never been matched to date. From the ensuing automobile accident, an agreement with a neighbor across the Malibu hills to have their telescopes pointed at each other's houses for carnal pleasure, and a performance by veteran stage and screen actor Max Showalter as a minister Moore visits (in a veiled attempt---pardon the wording--to discover where the Newlyweds took their Honeymoon). This film is so funny, you may suffer a hernia from uncontrollable laughter. Showalter tries convincing George that he is a songwriter too as Moore (struggles to maintain his composure--one scene among many worth the price of Admission), and the "MOST COMICAL BEDROOM ARGUMENT SCENE" ever filmed in the history of Cinema with Moore and Andrews (NOT TO BE MISSED) sparring over the definition of the word "Broad". These gems will outlive us all. However, before I unleash too many "spoilers", allow me to say that the moments of genuine warmth in this movie (as witnessed by my dedication to dear Kayla with my You Tube posting a few days ago), provide a respite from the endless charades, comical entanglements, drinking and Bwa-ha-ha to provide subtext to a man who is temporarily lost and desperate. Dee Wallace and then-newcomer Brian Dennehy (as a Bartender who carefully plays his cards close to the vest) turn in wonderful performances, and Julie Andrews couldn't be lovelier or sexier as Georges' long-suffering singer/actress Samantha Taylor. Moreover...THERE IS SO MUCH GREAT DIALOGUE IN THIS MOVIE!

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During a heart-wrenching week whereupon we learned all too well the fragile nature of life and the meaning of True Love, Loyalty, Forgiveness and Passion I simply felt compelled to offer up this fantastic film to each of you as my Gift of Life! Indeed, it is how I have and will always remember Dudley Moore who expressed during the second to the last of his interviews just before his untimely death, "At least we got '10' and 'Arthur' made". Believe it, my dear friends!

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Starring: Dudley Moore as George Webber; Julie Andrews is Samantha Taylor; Robert Webber is Hugh; Bo Derick is Jennifer (Miles) Hanley; Dee Wallace is Mary Lewis; Brian Dennehy is Donald the Bartender; Max Showalter is the Reverend; James Noble is the Dentist, Dr. Miles; John Hancock is Moore's Psychiatrist; Lorry Goldman is Bernie Kaufman; Rad Daly is Josh Taylor; The Uncredited Party Guests (believe it or not) include porn stars Annette Haven, Serena, Dorothy LeMay, Constance Money and Candida Royalle (yeah, get a load of those names...:D). Oh, Denise Crosby from the late John Ritter's film of the same year, "Skin Deep" (also a Blake Edwards film) shall we say---rounds out this cast. Written and Directed by the incredible Blake Edwards. NOMINATED at the 1980 Academy Awards for "BEST MUSIC/ORIGINAL SCORE": Henri Mancini; LYRICS BY: Robert Wells.

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Laughter is truly God's gift to each of us. And this is a film that is timely for all of the right reasons. I have taken note of all of the e-mailers who have suggested films and no, you have NOT been forgotten. Stay tuned and prepare to forget your worries as you watch this one!

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for Dudley Moore