Starter for 10
Starter for 10

Starter for 10

2006Movie96 minEnglish

In 1985, against the backdrop of Thatcherism, Brian Jackson enrolls in the University of Bristol, a scholarship boy from seaside Essex with a love of knowledge for its own sake and a childhood spent watching University Challenge, a college quiz show. At Bristol he tries out for the Challenge team and falls under the spell of Alice, a lovely blond with an extensive sexual past.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes62%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users73%
Director: Tom VaughanGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1980s Britain, a working-class university student with a passion for quiz shows dreams of competing on 'University Challenge'. His ambition is fueled by his desire to impress a girl from a privileged background and escape his roots. As he navigates the competitive world of academia and budding romance, he finds his loyalties tested and his worldview challenged.

Critical Reception

Starter for 10 was generally well-received by critics, praised for its charming performances, witty script, and nostalgic portrayal of the early 1980s. Audiences appreciated its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, though some found the plot somewhat predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its strong cast, particularly James McAvoy.
  • Appreciated for its witty dialogue and charming coming-of-age story.
  • Noted for its authentic 1980s setting and cultural references.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be a pleasant and often humorous British comedy with a relatable protagonist. Many enjoyed the nostalgic elements and the performances, though some felt the story lacked significant depth or originality.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the debut novel of the same name by David Nicholls, who also wrote the screenplay.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
RalphRahal

RalphRahal

Starter for 10 is a fun and entertaining movie, and it’s even better because it stars three of my favorite actors—James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alice Eve. James is great as Brian Jackson, a college student trying to fit in at univ...
John Chard

John Chard

Sometimes it's not about knowing the right answer. Starter for 10 is directed by Tom Vaughan and adapted to screenplay by David Nicholls from his own novel of the same name. It stars James McAvoy, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall, Dominic Cooper,...