Blake Edwards’ 10, released in theaters on October 5, 1979, starring Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, Bo Derek, Robert Webberis a witty, bittersweet comedy that captured the neurotic spirit of an era obsessed with youth, beauty, and self-discovery. The film charts the misadventures of a man who, facing middle age, chases an impossible fantasy and stumbles into unexpected self-awareness.
George Webber (Moore), a successful Hollywood songwriter, is thrown into crisis when his girlfriend Samantha (Andrews) and friends surprise him for his 42nd birthday.
Feeling his age and drifting from Samantha, George becomes fixated on Jenny Hanley (Derek), a stunning young bride he glimpses en route to her wedding.
Unable to shake his obsession, George tracks Jenny and her husband David (Sam Jones) to their honeymoon resort in Mexico, setting off a comedic chain of misadventures: awkward beachside encounters, intoxicated confessions, and ultimately, romantic disappointment.
At the resort, George saves David from drowning and wins Jenny’s gratitude—leading to intimate moments and a surreal seduction set to Ravel’s “Boléro.”
However, George’s fantasy is shattered by Jenny’s nonchalant attitude toward their tryst and her open marriage, revealing that desire untethered from meaning is ultimately hollow.
After a comic series of mishaps—including a failed affair with acquaintance Mary Lewis and misunderstandings involving George’s friend Hugh (Webber)—George comes to appreciate the real connection he’s left behind.
Reunited with Samantha, George demonstrates newfound emotional maturity, finally recognizing the emptiness of fleeting fantasies compared to lasting love.
Their reconciliation is playful yet sincere, as George adopts Jenny’s “Boléro” soundtrack for a climactic gesture that reclaims intimacy on his own terms.
10 was a box-office hit and cultural phenomenon, launching Bo Derek to instant stardom and forever associating cornrowed hair and “Boléro” with cinematic seduction.
Bo Derek in 10 (Photo/Warner Bros.)
The film’s frank discussion of sexuality, aging, and relationships struck a chord with audiences, while Moore’s pitch-perfect comedic timing and vulnerability endeared him to a generation.
Edwards’ direction balances slapstick with genuine introspection, letting laughter and melancholy intermingle.
Brian Dennehy, Dee Wallace, Don Calfa, Max Showalter, Doug Sheehan, John Hancock, Deborah Rush and James Noble round out the cast.
Reception for 10 starring Bo Derek
10 grossed $3.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film would gross $107 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave 10 four out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Its legacy is enduring: 10 ranks as one of the seminal romantic comedies of the late twentieth century, influencing countless films about love, obsession, and the comedy of self-invention.
To this day, it stands as a reminder that sometimes, the pursuit of perfection is less gratifying than the embrace of honest imperfection.
