Starting Out in the Evening is a book written by Brian Mortenson. It focuses an aging, widowed, now out-of-print writer named Leonard Schiller. A young and beautiful graduate student, Heather Wolfe, decides that she is going to bring his work to the fore-front (where she believes it belongs) by writing her thesis, that she hopes to turn into a book, on him. In doing this, she befriends Schiller, which makes for an awkward-feeling relationship. Enter Schiller's 39 year old, biological-clock ticking daughter who is trying to deal with her own relationship and life issues while trying to figure out her un-trust for Wolfe's interest in her father. The key performance is by Frank Langella, who plays Schiller with a passion that is unmistakable.
The book and movie (which, is very good as well, smartly following closely to the book) are both worth your time. In addition to being a great character piece, Starting Out in the Evening has a ton to say about relationships, aging, and art. Go check out both items from your local library.
Million dollar quote (pun intended):
"I am old fashion enough to still believe that art and commerce are at war." -Leonard Schiller
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