'Starter for 10' is an enjoyable British rom-com that manages to engage thanks to the talents of brilliant actors and some well-timed comedy, but it doesn't quite strike a lasting chord. As it is director Tom Vaughn's feature debut I think it can be forgiven, but 'Starter for 10' sticks to routine formula far too often, it's air of charisma never reaching further into stakes of originality.
Essex lad Brian Jackson has always been a kid with a thirst for knowledge, so when he is accepted onto an English Literature degree course at Bristol University, he thinks it his proudest accomplishment. His mum is supportive, while his friends warn him not to turn into the 'posh wankers' who are to become his new best mates.
'Starter for 10's best moments are those that present some form of student life. The focus on quirky comedy and painfully awkward - and hilarious - situations make room for plenty of laughs. It is the screenplay's need to include a pretty dull romantic sub-plot and then spend far too much time on it that results in a lesser movie; thank god James McAvoy and Rebecca Hall work so well, together and individually.
The University challenge scenes are very well done, and Benedict Cumberbatch adds some side-splitting mannerisms to his role as snobby twit and group leader Patrick Watts. Catherine Tate also continues to shine as an actress, proving herself to be more than just a comedian.
'Starter for 10' manages to make nearly everything about it real, and it deserves credit for employing countless cliches (the beautiful seductress, a friend's betrayal, learning from your mistakes, the best friend you realise you love etc) but making them seem fresh, and fun. The film perhaps exceeds its grasp on issues of class, which are quite crudely one-dimensional, but at least it takes a shot at elevating its own comic stature.
It is very hard to dislike this film, thanks to a smart script and actors who give a damn in what could easily be observed as a small film with low box-office potential. Despite the oh-so happy and uplifitng ending, 'Starter for 10' is an often interesting and funny comedy that, despite it's lesser parts, makes one amusing whole.
Fantastic comedy, brilliant, this is what a comedy should be like! Who would have thought that I would like James McAvoy so much. Great cast, well done Mr Tom Vaughan!
Good british teen comedy! Set in the 80's, it turns around the life of nerdy Brian during his first year of college. A funny and charming story that's fun to watch on a rainy day!
what a good film, mcavoy does a good performance here, some other funny characters, its a nice college kind of film about a lad who goes to unniversity and works to go on the unniversity challenge programme and it starts from there. very sweet and romantic and just simple but good comedy, nice.
It's 1985 and Essex boy Brian has just been accepted in to Bristol University. Believing all his life that 'Knowledge is Power' Brian is naturally ecstatic at his chance to study English Literature and to appear on University Challenge. What Brian forgot however, was that not all learning can be done inside a classroom, and a series of unfortunate events begin to affect his relationships with his home, his old friends and his love interests. With some excellently witty script and stellar comic performances 'Starter For Ten' is a superb British rom-com. Leading man James McAvoy delivers an exceptional performance as Brian, a fresh enthusiastic soul wandering through life. His comic delivery is excellent and he brings a real charisma and likeability to the character. He's supported excellently by the likes of Catherine Tate, Rebecca Hall, Alice Eve and Benedict Cumberbatch. All excel in their roles even if some have only limited screen time. Set to an infectious 80's soundtrack 'Starter For Ten' manages to capture a really optimistic and positive image of University life and how the power of ambition is so important, but honesty and humanity still rest above it. A brilliant Brit-flick that'll have you creasing up. Excellent.
I really didn't know what to expect from this film, and i was pleasantly surprised :) The cast are all brilliant, and i found myself laughing alot. Benedict Cumberbatch played one of the funniest 'geeks' i've ever seen, and James McAvoy is faultless and made me proud to be from essex (as this is where his characters hometown is set).
Funny and touching. Stumbled across this movie on HBO and was pleasantly surpised. McAvoy, I think, does a splendid job of bringing his character to life. Having been there, done that myself (I attended a private high school in New Hampshire), I could sympathize with the idea of the working-class kid trying to fit in. Definitely worth seeing!
It was good but I already kind of predicted what was going to happen so it was a little bit boring for me. I do have to say though that James McAvoy did a really good job in this movie.
I really enjoyed this movie. James McAvoy was brilliant in this film, I loved him as the reluctant hero. The supporting cast for this movie was very good too. They had a good story line for this movie as well.
i thought this movie was charming, cute, and had many moment of hilarity though i felt the story wasnt detailed enough the character expanded more and since they didnt expand it left the story predictable
A highly entertaining and surprisingly very funny romantic comedy (gasp!) that has a great, as always, performance by James McAvoy to boost it. The funniest romantic comedy since Love Actually.
Really good movie. I never even heard of it before but it was on HBO so I watched it. Really nice love story. Hated that Alice chick. Rebecca was suck a better girl.
Brian Jackson (James McAvoy) attending his first year @ Bristol University obsessive collector of general knowledge, University Challenge since his childhood favorite game show called "Starter for Ten". Brian have something more in common with with a counterculturalist chum, Rebecca (Rebecca Hall).
I had a good laugh at this movie, i enjoyed the perspective because we all do things that embarrass us from time to time and we have o get back out there and face it.
I had severe reservations, that this film was gonna suck badly.
So My expectations were extremely low, however as you can tell, i seriously loved it.
It's a smart, romantic british comedy with excellent writing. (What are the odds? :P)
Fun British movie. James McAvoy is like an adorable British Elijah Wood. Some parts were funny, some parts were romantic. It was pretty silly when the Brit scholars walked to "We Are The Champions" or some very American tune. Overall, a pretty good movie.
I guess I'm one of those people who likes James McAvoy as an acvtor, and so I wanted to see this for him, and because it was set in the 80s and I was feeling nostalgic. ;)
While it's not amazingly good, it's still funny and accurate to the time period. Still, probably not right for anyone who isn;t old enough to rember the flavor of the 80s, might think it was campy and unrelaistic.
But it worked for me.
The themes aren;t groundbreaking, but they aren't meant to be. It's a bit slow in the beginning, but quickly gets going.
this is a great charming little film about experiencing college life for the first time.Its sweet,witty and down to earth it really brings somthing new and original to the college genre without trying hard to do so.
MCT:August 10, 2008
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