Review: Starter for 10

Set in the mid-80s, James McAvoy stars as a working class lad who is somewhat of a know-it-all, though more of a quiz geek than an intellectual (Bit like yours truly, actually). So much so that he gets into Bristol University with hopes of one day appearing on the team for University Quiz, which is broadcast on TV, something McAvoy grew up watching with his mum (Catherine Tate) and now deceased dad. He does indeed manage to get on the team as First Reserve, earning the disdain of older student and nerdy team captain Benedict Cumberbatch. He also falls for pretty and friendly teammate Alice Eve (who comes from money). Meanwhile, he also has a bit of a teasing relationship with lefty student activist Rebecca Hall, who seems more his down-to-earth match, if only he could get past Alice’s wonderful cleavage to see the other girl. Dominic Cooper and James Corden play McAvoy’s working class mates back home who warn him not to become a wanker, whilst Charles Dance plays Eve’s snooty father.

 

If you can get past the fact that James McAvoy is playing a first-year Uni student when he’s clearly almost five years older than Rebecca Hall and Alice Eve (not to mention a year older than me, and I was 27 at the time of the film’s release, having already completed my somewhat useless Master’s degree), then this 2007 flick from director Tom Vaughan (“What Happens in Vegas”, the mediocre “Extraordinary Measures”) and novelist/screenwriter David Nicholls (“Simpatico”, “And When Did You Last See Your Father?”, “Great Expectations”) isn’t bad. I found it a bit tough to swallow the obvious age difference at first (Catherine Tate isn’t even old enough to be McAvoy’s mother for cryin’ out loud!), and the film becomes a bit predictable after a while. However, the only thing that really turned me off here was that I never want to hear Robert Smith and/or The Cure ever again. This film has a serious hard-on for The Cure, with at least five of their songs on the soundtrack and a ‘Thank You’ credit for Smith to boot. For some reason we also get Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’, which is awfully jarring, as it’s about the only American song on the soundtrack. And for a film that starts off with the glorious Motorhead, it sure takes a helluva nosedive with songs by Wham! on the soundtrack.

 

However, for the most part, this is pretty enjoyable stuff, and no matter his age, James McAvoy is very easy to like. Hall and Eve, however are even better. Hall is quite simply a star, she really has something, and although she has odd cheekbones, Eve looks positively edible in her underwear. Sorry, but it’s the only word to describe it. Both actresses are perfectly cast, and as much as I love Eve (who is able to navigate some tricky waters to emerge with a character you can’t actually hate- she means well, after all), Hall really comes out on top here with that star quality that you just can’t teach. All three are good enough actors that after a while, their ages won’t matter as much for some of you. The film is surprisingly funny at times too. McAvoy learns a lesson many of us poor fellows have been well-schooled in: Never, EVER ask a girl you like if she’s had many boyfriends. You do NOT want an answer to that question. I’m not really a Benedict Cumberbatch fan, but playing the British snob version of Sheldon Cooper here, he’s very amusing. The scene where he gets into a punch-up with Dominic Cooper is hands down one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. There’s also one very clever moment of irony that just has to be intentional, as it’s almost too cute: Hall and Eve play characters named Rebecca and Alice, and at one point McAvoy calls Hall ‘Alice’!

 

It’s a shame about the predictable trajectory, and I would’ve liked Charles Dance to have had a more substantial role, but Dance is often one to take on roles he probably shouldn’t have (“The Golden Child”, anyone?). On the whole, this isn’t a substantial, original, or memorable film but the performances are good and there’s some good laughs to be had. For some that might be enough. For me, it’s not too far off the mark.

 

Rating: C+