Starter for 10
Starter for 10
PG-13 | 15 October 2006 (USA)
Starter for 10 Trailers

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.

Reviews
Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.
Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
studioAT This a big old fashioned British comedy, one that feels both like a Richard Curtis film, and 'The Breakfast Club' all at the same time.It's funny in places, really funny actually, and has a good heart behind it too.James McAvoy shines in his role, and there's some other lovely performances along the way too, from people in many cases who have gone onto better things.I would recommend this film because it's not one of those crewd comedies that Judd Apatow turn out yearly. It's a well-written and well performed film that makes you realise that it's OK to be yourself.
Noemi Olaru Starting with the script. I was surprised to find hat it was written by the author of the book himself; I was sure that it was written by someone else and actually was thinking that Nicholls must be really upset with the way it turned out. It simply flies over the entire book and gives a sense of superficiality. It gives me the impression that it has been made unwillingly, in a "oh, let's just get it done" way.And continuing with the actors. I like James McAvoy, but not in this role. Someone said that he was maybe too mature for an 18-year old and I think that might be right. But, aside that, I didn't see in him the combination of shyness, nerdiness and intelligence of the young man trying to get the girl he was hopelessly in love with AND win the University Challenge to make his dead dad proud. I didn't see it. Oh, let's not forget about the skin problems and the "dead seagull" on his head, seen that in the book they were such a big deal. I would replace McAvoy with Michael Cera. In my opinion, he would impersonate that awkwardness much better, which, exactly!, McAvoy lacks.I would replace Rebecca Hall with Ellen Page or Mae Whitman. I find them much more appropriate for the role. Hall was indeed a little too intense... And a little too obviously in love. Or Emma Roberts or Jane Levy. Of course, all brunettes.I would definitely replace Alice with... I don't know who, but someone more profound. I think that Alice is beautiful, yes, but also surprisingly intelligent and sort of bohemian in her being a popular girl. Maybe Britt Robertson or Gillian Zinser or maybe Alyson Michalka or Amber Heard or Brit Marling.I know that I just transformed it in an all American movie, but they would all speak in a British accent.Maybe if I hadn't read the book I would've liked the film better... But now I know that it can be better!
Jam_Man Just read the book of this film and then immediately watched the movie, and have to say the old cliché is right, the films isn't as good as the book.SPOILERS!!!! There are some key changes in the storyline which change the dynamics of some of the relationships.In the book Spencer is a good friend of his who tries to get him and Alice together and Brian unfairly shuns him after the fight thinking he was hitting on Alice. In the film Spencer is a slime ball who betrays him, when in the book she sleeps with Jackson and then sees another guy at university. Why David Nicholls felt he had to change the characters I don't know, pacing of the film I guess.Movie version Jackson really doesn't match up to the book version, he is painfully embarrassing in the book and much funnier than in the film, although I wonder how that would have looked on film.
kindredparadox Brian Jackson—a scholar University of Bristol—likes knowledge, he's bright and smart and finally able to get into the TV, fell under the spell of Alice, carelessly manages to hurt Rebecca Epstein feelings. Romance get into play.An enjoyable film. Though, throughout watching the entire film from starting to finish one probably would not feels much excitement nor get bored. It's the kind of film that you think it could be much better when put more work to it. It's a romance film that's not to romantic, a comedy film that's not too funny, and a drama film that is not too dramatic. It's a smart film though, one may think David Nicholls is a perfectionist concerning the script. The view of Brian's little town is nice, but lacking of the city view where he goes to college. The playing of the film soundtrack is to short to actually enjoy it.Have never found out until this movie, that Rebecca Hall is beautiful woman.