10 - La mujer perfecta

Dudley Moore, we will miss you. This film was Moore's signature role - he made it funny, he made it poignant. Blake Edwards' script was funny and sweet, but Dudley brought it to life. A little dated now, but a great trip back to 1979 and still relevant today. If you haven't seen this film at least once, do yourself a favor - skip the latest Adam Sandler vehicle and find this one on the shelf. Adam is no Dudley Moore.

Dudley Moore stars as a dissatisfied 42-year-old having his "midlife crisis". He turns in a good performance, even if his character is not very likeable. The comedy is mostly of the wry variety, although there are some physically comedic vignettes. Julie Andrews is wasted in a relatively small part with a bad hairstyle. Dee Wallace was quite charming in a small part. And Bo Derek looked very good, and her acting was certainly adequate, in spite of the reviews. The ending, while a bit predictable, carried some emotional power. It's worth seeing, but no classic.

We all have 'secret pleasure' films - those films that, for some reason, we get immense joy out of, yet might not want people to know. '10' is one of those films.

Of course the humour may have dated, but that doesn't detract from what is still a nicely paced, genteel, well rounded and well performed film. But the real joy in this film comes from the skill of director Blake Edwards in getting his actors to actually act. It seems almost alien in this day and age that actors should perform extended shots in one take, where they react to each other without umpteen cuts. But that was always Blake Edwards' thing. Check out the Pink Panther films and watch how many classic scenes featured only a few cuts. It's almost stage acting on film.

There are many joys to be found in '10', especially if you are of a certain age and can relate to the mid-life crisis of George Webber. But if you are looking for a movie which really delivers on the 70s chic - from 8-track tapes to disco, it doesn't get much better than this.

Approach this film with the right relaxed mindset and enjoy.

I'll never forget seeing Bo Derek for the first time in this movie. I was shocked (hated the hair, but it made the character) This is a great movie about a man who is having a mid-life crisis. Dudley Moore, has just turned 42, and is single (dating Julie Andrews.) While driving around in his Rolls, he sees Bo Derek in a Mercedes on her way to her wedding. Hes totally wild over her, and she becomes a sort of obsession. So he finds out where they are honeymooning, and goes there. The movie is great, its funny, and keeps you laughing. This was also Bo's break-through. Shes a total 10, and even though she speaks very little, her character is a HUGE part of the film. Its great, everyone should see this film.

All right, so this isn't a great movie. It just happened to come along at the right moment in my life to have an impact. As a young man not yet turned 20, I could certainly identify with both Dudley Moore wanting to recapture youth through a fling with Bo Derek, and Bo Derek just wanting to have fun (and show her appreciation for Dudley's saving her boyfriend's life.) Add to that the fact that I was working at a record shop and remember selling about 9832 copies of Ravel's Bolero, and it boils down to this; "10" brings back a host of good memories for me. - mps