Review: Starter for 10

By Emma Carroll

Let me tell you something about myself. I love movies. Love ‘em. I love going to a theater and having reality suspended for a couple of hours. Especially when it’s an edge of your seat flick that’s got you clambering for the next moment. Or when the theater’s packed with people laughing their heads off at even the silliest jokes. That’s what going to the movies is all about. It’s hard for me to sit in the darkness and not enjoy something. Although it does happen - there have been some really awful ones out there, terrible experiences. But what I am getting at is that it’s difficult for me not to enjoy a movie. I can always find something in a film that I like. So if you’re looking for someone to give you a review on a movie that will tell you whether or not it’s a fun way to let your self kick back and relax for a couple of hours surrounded by other moviegoers than I’m your girl! Now on to the real review….

Based on the novel A Question of Attraction by David Nicholls, Starter for 10 takes place in 1985 and follows the trials of a college freshman in true John Hughes style. In fact, it’s merely Brit version of a John Hughes film, post high school graduation; even Rebecca Hall (The Prestige) as Rebecca, resembles Molly Ringwald. That being said, this is by no means a bad thing. Sixteen Candles is a fabulous movie, and rather than make a mockery of John Hughes classics, director Tom Vaughn pays homage to the legendary. The one thing that could have been making a jab at today’s culture was the appearance of the opposing quiz team. They came on to the screen, and I could swear that they were mocking Harry Potter. Each of the members was in a long black cloak, they were all wearing matching uniforms with neckties and the team captain even had round spectacles on. It certainly got a lot of knowing laughs from the audience!



Starter for 10 stars James McAvoy (Narnia) as Brian, alongside other Brits in the story of a young man who, reflecting on people who are clever without really trying, decides he is “not one of those people!” But he wants to be clever so he throws himself into books, especially when his father passes away. His father always valued knowledge above all else and loved quiz shows. So Brian goes off to college and Bristol University and decides to join the University Challenge team, headed up by the hilarious Benedict Cumberbatch’s Patrick. Meanwhile, he becomes involved with two girls, one of whom he loves, the other loves him. His homebound friends worry about him becoming a wanker, while their futures aren’t looking very bright.

Two movies in two days, and both of them featuring Benedict Cumberbatch – in Amazing Grace as William Pitt and in Starter For 10 as Patrick. Odd, considering his presence in American films is close to nil and I’d never seen him in anything before Tuesday; but, I must confess, both of these films were imports from the UK. Truly more interesting however, is that he was the scene stealing character in at least one.

By far, the most impressive character was Cumberbatch. After seeing him in Amazing Grace, where he faded into the background (due more to the undeveloped character than his acting) I was surprised to see him in such a different and refreshing role, which really displayed his range. As Patrick he had some of the funniest moments in the film, outshining all of the other characters. However, as romantic comedies go, the main characters of Starter certainly carried more of the dramatic aspect of the film, while the peripheral characters were left to keep the audience giggling. This technique is very reminiscent of John Hughes’ pictures where Molly Ringwald played the straight character and the nerds bouncing around her brought out the laughs.

The story was very smooth and upbeat until around the middle things slowed down a bit. It hit that typical low point about an hour in, before it starts to pick up again for the climax. But the ending wiped all of that away. When they reach the quiz show things really picked up.

The soundtrack was quite charming, bringing you right back to 1985 with a more Britonized bunch of classic hits, including the Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry” in the opening credits.

The costumes were right on, I really got the feeling that I was watching a movie that was actually made 20 years ago. It even had the fuzzy visual quality the movies from the 80’s tend to have.

All in all, this movie was great for a date, great for people who love British comedies and great if you just want to step into a time machine to 1985. I give it a B-