Starter for 10 (2006)

Starter for 10 is a coming of age tale with a lot of 1980s music but a slight and bland story.Brian Jackson (James McAvoy) loved facts ever since he was a wee nipper and has enrolled at Bristol University where he has a chance to enter University Challenge then a long running ITV show with Bamber Gascoigne.He also falls for lively, flirty, posh and good looking blonde Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve) but also gets entangled with lovely, lively, left wing activist and good looking brunette, Rebecca Epstein (Rebecca Hall).When it comes to the television quiz he has a testy relationship with captain of the team Patrick Watts (Benedict Cumberbatch) and things get worse when one of Brian's hometown friends gets involved in a fight with Patrick.The film has a cast of youngsters who have gone on to become famous such Cumberbatch, McAvoy as well as Dominic Cooper and James Corden. Mark Gatiss is a convincing Bamber Gascoigne and the recreation of University Challenge is very good but that is a very small part of the film despite the title of the movie.The rest of the film about a young teenager discovering a romantic awakening in Thatcher's Britain is rather humdrum. The film is an adaptation of the book which may be more spiky than this.

Starting with the script. I was surprised to find hat it was written by the author of the book himself; I was sure that it was written by someone else and actually was thinking that Nicholls must be really upset with the way it turned out. It simply flies over the entire book and gives a sense of superficiality. It gives me the impression that it has been made unwillingly, in a "oh, let's just get it done" way.And continuing with the actors. I like James McAvoy, but not in this role. Someone said that he was maybe too mature for an 18-year old and I think that might be right. But, aside that, I didn't see in him the combination of shyness, nerdiness and intelligence of the young man trying to get the girl he was hopelessly in love with AND win the University Challenge to make his dead dad proud. I didn't see it. Oh, let's not forget about the skin problems and the "dead seagull" on his head, seen that in the book they were such a big deal. I would replace McAvoy with Michael Cera. In my opinion, he would impersonate that awkwardness much better, which, exactly!, McAvoy lacks.I would replace Rebecca Hall with Ellen Page or Mae Whitman. I find them much more appropriate for the role. Hall was indeed a little too intense... And a little too obviously in love. Or Emma Roberts or Jane Levy. Of course, all brunettes.I would definitely replace Alice with... I don't know who, but someone more profound. I think that Alice is beautiful, yes, but also surprisingly intelligent and sort of bohemian in her being a popular girl. Maybe Britt Robertson or Gillian Zinser or maybe Alyson Michalka or Amber Heard or Brit Marling.I know that I just transformed it in an all American movie, but they would all speak in a British accent.Maybe if I hadn't read the book I would've liked the film better... But now I know that it can be better!

This movie reminded me a lot of my own student times. I could very much relate to the main character, Brian, even though I studied in the 2000s and I am female. James McAvoy perfectly shows the curiosity, insecurity and naivety many feel when they first move out from home and study at university. You can see how Brian is torn between trying to fit in (going to parties where he knows no one, smoking pot), but also how he pursues the things he likes, no matter if others think he is cool (making it to a TV quiz show and being the most eager student in his favourite class). Brian could very well be the guy living next door in your student house, and probably you would become friends with him. Many of us will be able to remember scenes of our own student life depicted in this movie: feeling lost on a party, constantly sipping from your glass to keep yourself busy and trying hard to have a casual conversation with complete strangers; how your mother keeps asking you if you packed everything you need for the weekend and you don't know how to explain her that you're not a child any more ("Do you have towels? Yes? Then at least take some ham with you..."); or when you can't believe your luck because you see that the girl or boy you really like is interested in you as well. This movie just feels very real. My favourite scenes were those of the first kiss(es), full of anxiety, and played more realistically than in most movies I've seen. And the awkwardly misunderstood quote from "the graduate". The credit goes to James McAvoy who is perfectly believable as a first- year student and keeps this movie together even in its weaker scenes. He is supported by a strong cast, especially his two love interests and the leader of the university quiz team. Unfortunately, in its last 20 minutes (which is when the actual climax was supposed to take place, during the quiz show) the movie feels a bit rushed, becomes predictable and some scenes are a bit too much (e.g. how Cumberbatch looks... you'll know what I mean when you'll see it). It also takes the easy (and safe) way out in the final scenes. I give this movie 7 stars out of 10. If it wasn't for the last 20 minutes, I would have given it 9 stars. As it is, this is still a very entertaining and excellently acted movie which you will certainly enjoy watching.

Brian Jackson—a scholar University of Bristol—likes knowledge, he's bright and smart and finally able to get into the TV, fell under the spell of Alice, carelessly manages to hurt Rebecca Epstein feelings. Romance get into play.An enjoyable film. Though, throughout watching the entire film from starting to finish one probably would not feels much excitement nor get bored. It's the kind of film that you think it could be much better when put more work to it. It's a romance film that's not to romantic, a comedy film that's not too funny, and a drama film that is not too dramatic. It's a smart film though, one may think David Nicholls is a perfectionist concerning the script. The view of Brian's little town is nice, but lacking of the city view where he goes to college. The playing of the film soundtrack is to short to actually enjoy it.Have never found out until this movie, that Rebecca Hall is beautiful woman.