"The Starter Wife" (2007) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

31 May 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

An ex-wife of a Hollywood studio boss starts her life after her divorce. Based on the novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer.

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Divorce | Bare Chested Male | Midlife Crisis | California

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Judy Davis	...	Joan McAllister (6 episodes, 2007)
Chris Diamantopoulos	...	Rodney (6 episodes, 2007)
Peter Jacobson	...	Kenny Kagan (6 episodes, 2007)
Stephen Moyer	...	Sam (6 episodes, 2007)
Anika Noni Rose	...	Lavender (6 episodes, 2007)
Novella Nelson	...	Nana (6 episodes, 2007)
Aden Young	...	Jorge Stewart (6 episodes, 2007)
Joe Mantegna	...	Lou Manahan (6 episodes, 2007)
Bethany Whitmore	...	Jaden (6 episodes, 2007)
Debra Messing	...	Molly Kagan (5 episodes, 2007)
Miranda Otto	...	Cricket Stewart (5 episodes, 2007)
Trilby Glover	...	Shoshanna (5 episodes, 2007)
Hailee Denham	...	Skylar McNeil (5 episodes, 2007)
Gigi Edgley	...	Chloe (5 episodes, 2007)
Paul Gleeson	...	Aaron (3 episodes, 2007)
John Atkinson	...	Detective Parks (3 episodes, 2007)
Kate Kendall	...	Lisa (3 episodes, 2007)
Rodger Corser	...	Larry Hamill (3 episodes, 2007)
Jane Hall	...	Sharon (3 episodes, 2007)
Madeleine West	...	Katy (3 episodes, 2007)
Julia Blake	...	Mrs. Caldecott (2 episodes, 2007)
Barry Langrishe	...	Pappy (2 episodes, 2007)
Leah Purcell	...	Hannah Sprints (2 episodes, 2007)
Jared Robinson	...	Sheriff #2 (2 episodes, 2007)
Dasi Ruz	...	Ana (2 episodes, 2007)
Jerome Ehlers	...	Director (2 episodes, 2007)
Ursula Brooks	...	Country Club Administrator (2 episodes, 2007)
Christopher Kirby	...	Detective Smith (2 episodes, 2007)
Sunny Doench	...	Cosmetic Girl (2 episodes, 2007)
Matthew Scully	...	Clarity Harbor Valet (2 episodes, 2007)
Leeanna Walsman	...	Sasha (2 episodes, 2007)
David Webb	...	Dr. Peter Hexton (2 episodes, 2007)

Runtime:

Germany:43 min (6 parts) | Argentina:46 min (6 parts)

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

3 Arts Entertainment

Goofs:

Continuity: When Molly and Sam take Jaiden into the surf at the end of the mini series, Sam's shorts are already soaking wet.

Quotes:

Molly Kagan: Of course I'm cranky, I haven't eaten in 12 years!

Movie Connections:

References United 93 (2006)

Soundtrack:

I Wanna Play

I really liked the Starter Wife, but mostly because Judy Davis was in it.

I missed the Starter Wife when it debuted on USA in May. Then, in July, I became in all seriousness, obsessed with Judy Davis (she is really the best actress of her generation)and decided I had to see the Starter Wife just because she was in it. Truthfully, I didn't have very high expectations for it at the beginning because I thought it was just about some rich, stuck-up people who didn't give a crap about anyone but themselves. I had no idea why a genius like Judy Davis chose this project. I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was about rich stuck-up women, but some of them actually appeared human. And it wasn't JUST about the stuck up women. Neither Lavender, Nana, Mrs. Caldecott, or Sam seemed the least bit stuck up, and they added depth to the story. (I say Sam wasn't stuck up, but that doesn't mean that I liked him.). The acting was superb (other than whoever played Shoshanna, who was not that great. But I guess she didn't have much to work with), Debra Messing, Judy Davis, and Miranda Otto all NAILED their characters and I was sucked in the whole time, and I watched the whole four and half hour block, only stopping to go get a glass of wine. I would recommend this to anyone!

NOTE: It would probably be best to familiarize oneself with basic high-tier culture before watching this. Someone not familiar would not catch some of the jokes (like one in reference to the United Colors of Bennetton).