10 (DVD)

...you. When I was 10 years old (yes, 10!), I had stayed home alone for the first time in my life while my parents were out. So, being the average kid that I was pushing towards puberty, I sifted through their video collection and spied something I had been meaning to see. My parents had told me that the movie “10” was one of those forbidden movies for me to watch---and those who have seen the movie I’m sure can agree it is very much an adult movie ...
...watching it when I was 10 years old. I’ve seen all of Edwards’ films, and this one just seems to hit a perfect tone, wavering between sex comedy, slapstick, sophistication, and emotional humor, all of it enveloped in a grand story about a man’s desire for a beauty who he cannot have. Admit it, guys, we all have laid eyes on the goddess and, for some reason, we are forbidden to touch her.

While there have been many films that have ... more

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TITLE: “10”

RATING: *****

CAST: Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, Bo Derek, Robert Webber, Dee Wallace, Sam J. Jones, Brian Dennehy, Max Showalter, Rad Daly, Nedra Volz, James Noble, Virginia Kiser, John Hawker, Deborah Rush, Don Calfa, Arther Rosenburg, Kitty DeCarlo, Denise Crosby.

DIRECTOR: Blake Edwards

SCREENWRITER: Blake Edwards

STUDIO: Warner Bros. / Orion Pictures

RUNNING TIME: 122 min.

RATED: R (US) & 18 (UK); for graphic nudity, strong sexual content, adult subject matter, and language.

DVD AVAILABILITY: 5 GBP from Amazon; ASIL# B00004CYRA

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LUST AT FIRST SIGHT
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I would like to share a little story with all of you. When I was 10 years old (yes, 10!), I had stayed home alone for the first time in my life while my parents were out. So, being the average kid that I was pushing towards puberty, I sifted through their video collection and spied something I had been meaning to see. My parents had told me that the movie “10” was one of those forbidden movies for me to watch---and those who have seen the movie I’m sure can agree it is very much an adult movie in every sense of term. So, I eagerly popped it in; I found it very boring at first, but once Dudley started looking at his neighbors by means of a telescope my eyes had popped out. For the first time in my life, I saw a completely nude woman…and when Bo Derek appeared in braids while running on the beach, well, that’s when I fell in love for the first time in my life. To this day, I think she is the hottest, most drop dead gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen; that might sound strange to some of you, sure, but then again everybody has a different intrepretation in the perfect vision of the opposite sex. Now, of course, watching the movie “10” as an adult was a much different experience, as I actually paid attention to the storyline.

The late, great “Cuddly” Dudley Moore stars as George Webber, a successful songwriter who has just celebrated his 40th birthday. He has a wonderful girlfriend named Samantha (the legendary Julie Andrews), and he seems to have all what he wants out of life; however, George begins to go through a serious midlife crisis, and feels like there is a void growing bigger and bigger as time goes on. One day, he decides to take a drive around his hometown of Los Angeles, and chances to meet Jenny Hanley (Bo Derek), a strikingly beautiful woman who just so happens to be going to a church to marry her boyfriend David (Sam J. Jones). George falls instantly in love (or is it lust?) with Jenny, and proceeds to go to the wedding and keep an eye on her…though a giant bee decides to get off one of the bouquets and go up his noise causing him to make a ruckus during the wedding.

Later that night, George gets into a heated argument involving sexism with Sam, and she decides to get away from him for awhile. Dividing time with seeing his psychiatrist and his gay friend Hugh (Robert Webber), George becomes obsessed in tracking down Jenny; he starts with the preacher, who directs him to Jenny’s father, an established dentist---who informs him he has six cavities that he needs to have filled! Oh, I forgot to mention that George has a hippie neighbor who always seems to have a party with a lot of wholesome, young, and naked ladies; even though he cannot say a word because of all the novacaine, he decides to go over to his neighbors to have some fun…until he gets caught by Sam who catches him in his telescope! Thinking that he has lost all hope with Sam, George decides to fly down to Mexico to confront Jenny on her honeymoon and figure out some way to get into bed with her. (Hell, all he needs is for Peter Cook to show up and give him seven wishes, lol!)

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A COMEDY FOR ADULTS THAT CAN COUNT
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You may be shocked to hear this: despite all his great PINK PANTHER movies, I firmly believe that “10” is writer-producer-director Blake Edwards’ masterpiece; and, no, I’m not saying that merely because Bo Derek is in it---that is just a bonus! And, no, it doesn’t stem from the fact that I hold this film as being very special considering it came out the year I was born and I lost my innocence watching it when I was 10 years old. I’ve seen all of Edwards’ films, and this one just seems to hit a perfect tone, wavering between sex comedy, slapstick, sophistication, and emotional humor, all of it enveloped in a grand story about a man’s desire for a beauty who he cannot have. Admit it, guys, we all have laid eyes on the goddess and, for some reason, we are forbidden to touch her.

While there have been many films that have dealt with a midlife crisis, I don’t think any of them are funny as this one. There are so many hilarious scenes and situations in “10” that it would be impossible to talk about all of them in this review. Let me put it this way: just the sight of a butt-naked Dudley Moore trying to talk to two naked girls on either side of him when his jaws are filled with novacaine makes me scream. Or how about the point when he is looking at his neighbor’s place through his telescope joking to himself about what he sees…while two policeman are slowly walking up behind him! And who could forget when he is attempting to smoke weed with the much wilder Bo Derek…and his reaction when he learns from her how she likes to make love.

At its core, “10” is a comedy with a serious theme and despite all the silly shenanigans that occur, you still identify with the characters all the way through. The film was a major hit upon its release in 1979, and it’s easy to see why: it is a modern day comedy of manners with a top cast, wonderful music, a thankful lack of sentimentality…and with the introduction of Bo Derek, it made quite an impression. Granted, the film does have its detractors, saying it that is uneven and glib, though I don’t agree with all that because of its universal theme, which is we all dream of the temptress---or the Adonis, if you are a female, lol.

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CAST TO PERFECTION
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Many people love Dudley Moore, including me; of course, he may be best remembered as being Peter Cook’s sidekick for many years (i.e. BEDAZZLED), though many people forget that he starred in a string of fine films, always delighting audiences. There was ARTHUR, where he played a drunk millionaire, as well as MICKI & MAUDE, where he got two women pregnant and eventually marries both of them. However, his winning performance as George Webber is regarded as one of his absolute best; his comic timing here is impeccable, though it also works as a dramatic performance as well. When he died of pneumonia in 1992, it was truly a tremendous loss, and he will always be missed; if you love him, you must see this film!

Blake Edwards married Julie Andrews in 1969, and since then has cast her in many of his films; Andrews excels nicely as a woman who is in love with George, though has no idea how to control his indulgences…including a telescope aimed at naked girls across the way. While it may not be up there with her recognized roles in MARY POPPINS and THE SOUND OF MUSIC, she still adds a warmth and class to her role as Sam. Character actor Robert Webber does a fine job in the role of Hugh, Brian Dennehy is immensely likeable in one of his first roles as Donald, the bartender whom Moore befriends while in Mexico, and Dee Wallace (the mother from E.T.) is funny as a girl who is looking for a fling or two. Oh, yes, and that is the same Sam J. Jones (playing Bo’s husband) who would play Flash Gordon one year later.

When Moore is asked by his psychiatrist where Bo Derek falls on a scale of one to ten, he responds with “11.” All of you are free to think whatever you want on Derek’s acting ability, though you cannot deny that she was indeed the perfect 10 in this movie. Sure, she eventually became the sex star of the 1980s in a string of dreadful films (TARZAN THE APE MAN, BOLERO, and GHOSTS CAN’T DO IT…all directed by her late husband), though I seriously cannot think of any woman THEN as well as NOW, who could have topped Derek in her debut here in terms of beauty or impact. She is truly a rare woman who looks great whether she is clothed or not, and the image of her running on the beach in her bathing suit with those braids in her hair is one that so many people will never forget; it will be ingrained in my mind forever, that’s for sure.

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LET’S DO IT TO RAVEL’S BOLERO
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One element of “10” which I must mention is the music, which certainly made its mark in the history of cinema…and those who have seen the film know exactly what I’m talking about. Bo Derek’s character in this film confesses that she loves to dance to rock, listen to jazz…and f*ck to Ravel’s classic piece “Bolero.” To this very day, the rights to use Ravel’s Bolero in any film remains the most expensive of anything in the medium of music; Maurice Ravel’s in estate in France earns in excess of millions of dollars in royalities every year due to its use in “10.” Whether you like to have sex to it or not, it is simply a lovely piece of music that does indeed have an erotic quality to it. What’s weird is that I found an old record of it in my parents collection which was dated circa 1979…aha, a clue Sherlock!

The original score was composed and conducted by the magnificent Henry Mancini, who was nominated for an Oscar nomination, as was the original song “It’s Easy to Say,” which was sung by Mancini and Julie Andrews as the closing credits are running. Many of the songs in the film are sung by Andrews, and her singing voice is as sweet as ever, and it gives the film an aura of romanticism to it even though its largely a comedy. I especially love her song “He Pleases Me” which plays as Moore is driving on Santa Monica Boulevard before setting eyes on Derek. However, admittedly, this film will always be remembered for its use of Ravel’s Bolero.

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IT’S EASY TO SAY IT’S OVER
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Considering how much I love this film, it will come as no great shock to all of you that I was greatly disappointed on the lack of special features on the DVD. There is an ancient 8mm featurette showing the film behind the scenes which was hardly interesting, because it really doesn’t add much to what the film already presents. There is also the standard list of other things, such as a cast roster and a theatrical trailer; what I would have loved is an audio commentary by Edwards and Derek, a new documentary with fresh interviews, or even a tribute to Dudley Moore. Alas, we are left with a barebones disc, though I must admit that the widescreen print looks terrific for a film nearly 30 years old…and for only 5 GBP from Amazon its quite acceptable. Thank you for reading, and as ever I look forward to your comments. Now, if you all will excuse me, I think I will grab my copy of “Bolero” and head off to my girlfriend’s house, hehehe. Cheers, Chris :)

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QUOTES FROM EDWARDS’ SCREENPLAY
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1) “That son-of-a-bitch across the way has a bigger telescope than we have!” --- Dudley Moore “Not we have, you have! I don’t need to peep into somebody else’s windows to get my jollies---you’re a dirty old man and so is he!” --- Julie Andrews

2) “I don’t watch him…I watch his broads! He’s got a hell of stable over there!” --- Dudley Moore “Then he must be good in the sack right? Unless he is using some remote control screwing device , how can you keep from watching him too?” --- Julie Andrews “I concentrate on his broads, that’s all!” --- Dudley Moore

3) “Define broad!” --- Dudley Moore “Uh, a girl who screws around a lot.” --- Julie Andews “Oh, a hooker!” --- Dudley Moore “No a hooker is a hooker…the fact that they both spread their legs doesn’t make the term interchangable.” --- Julie Andrews

4) “I thought we were going to make love!” --- Dudley Moore “It will cost you 50 bucks and an apology!!!” --- Julie Andrews

5) “How old is she?” --- Dudley Moore “I honestly do not know! Whennever Mrs. Kissel breaks wind, we usually beat the dog going out.” --- Max Showalter

6) “George is just going through male menopause!” --- Robert Webber “Oh, come on!” --- Julie Andews “Ok, you ladies may have a biological edge, but most adult males over the age of 40 more than make up for it in the emotional department. It’s just going to take him a while to know that he is a certified imbecile!” --- Robert Webber

7) “My name is Mary Lewis…I met you at Truman Capote’s party!” --- Dee Wallace “Well, it’s nice to meet you Mary!” --- Dudley Moore

8) “My husband and I saw you on TV two weeks ago. I didn’t know who you were, but I said to David, ‘Now there is a very attractive older man!’” --- Bo Derek

9) “Este noche, la paso contigo!” --- Bo Derek “What does that mean?” --- Dudley Moore “Tonight I spend with you!” --- Bo Derek

10) “Did you ever do it to Ravel’s Bolero?” --- Bo Derek “No.” --- Dudley Moore “My uncle turned me on to it!” --- Bo Derek

11) “Uncle Fred said that Bolero was the most descriptive sex music ever written….and he proved it!” --- Bo Derek

12) “I don’t know what your problem is but I don’t think you are getting anywhere by trying to solve mine. I really don’t think I have a problem George! --- Bo Derek “Yep, that’s your problem!” --- Dudley Moore

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TRIVIA AND CRITIC’S CORNER
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TRIVIA NOTE #1: Blake Edwards really wanted his longtime star Peter Sellers from the PINK PANTHER films to play George Webber, but Sellers didn’t feel he was the right for the role; he died shortly thereafter.

TRIVIA NOTE #2: Blake Edwards got the idea for writing “10” in 1969 (yes 10 years before...lol), when he was driving along Santa Monica Blvd and he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen going to her wedding.

TRIVIA NOTE #3: Brian Dennehy and Bo Derek would be reteamed 16 years later to get married in the comedy TOMMY BOY starring Chris Farley and David Spade; when Derek comes out of the pool, Farley says, "Holy Schneike!! She's a 10!!!"

CRITIC’S QUOTE #1: “Comedies have defined Blake Edwards’ career, and “10” is one of his funniest and most poignant.” --- Silver Screen Reviews (2004)

CRITIC’S QUOTE #2: “This film is a refreshing and poignant comedy that has aged well, which is apropos to the subject matter expressed within. It’s an adult comedy aimed squarely at the juvenile side of us, with lots of nudity and sexual situations, but still playing light and loose with the times.” --- Vince Leo, Qwipster’s Movie Reviews (2005)

CRITIC’S QUOTE #3: “Bo Derek gives a natural and appealing performance; while Edwards tries a bit too hard for laughs, overall this remains a suprisingly honest look at middle-aged male sexuality.” --- Sylvia Bagley, filmfanatic.org (2007) 

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