Starter for 10 (2006)
Dir: Tom Vaughan
Starring: James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall, Benedict Cumberbatch
Another movie that caught my eye on BBC iPlayer recently was Starter for 10, starring James McAvoy. Based on the book by David Nicholls – and adapted for the screen by Nicholls, too – Starter for 10 is about a young man, Brian (McAvoy), who is a veritable knowledge bank of information.
After starting at Bristol University, Brian auditions for the University Challenge quiz team. Brian, who is from Southend-on-Sea, uesd to watch Univesity Challenge with his father as a child and has been a fan ever since. He soon falls for his teammate, Alice, though sparks are also flying between him and his protest-loving friend, Rebecca.
Starter for 10 is a very enjoyable film. Definitely more than just a romcom, it is very witty and McAvoy is a great leading man.
The central theme to the plot is, of course, University Challenge. That is, after all, quite an odd thing to centre a film around! It does work, though. Because of this shared interest, all types of people are drawn together. From Alice Eve’s flirty, gorgeous Alice to Benedict Cumberbatch’s quiz-obsessed postgraduate with a score to settle.
It has a great, classic 80s soundtrack, too. How can I not enjoy packed full with all my favourite The Cure songs?
★★★★
Cinematic Delights 
I have never heard of this film but it seems quite a sweet film. You know you are going to have to get more than 4 channels!!
It is a very sweet film. Got some great Brit actors in it, too. You know with the digital switch over I now have freeview! Still nothing to watch though! 😛
Ps I did a little comment editing 😛 But, how can you not like Colin Firth?!
I saw this at the Chicago Film Festival in 2006. I remember liking it but I completely forgot Rebecca Hall was in it. I don’t think I knew who she was then.
I’m not that familiar with Hall either. Apart from Starter for 10, I’ve also seen here in The Prestige and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
It is a very sweet film and, like I said, something very odd to centre a movie around! 😛
I’m going to see this with my girlfriends on our Girls’ Movie Night on Friday! Can’t wait to see it, I LOVE McAvoy and I have come to appreciate Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall. I’ll let you know what I think after I see it.
I think you’ll enjoy it, lovely. It’s a very sweet film 🙂
I look forward to finding out what you thought!
I like this movie and I agree with your rating!