Starter for 10 (2006)

Director:

Tom Vaughan

Writers:

David Nicholls (novel)
David Nicholls (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Set in 1985, working-class student Brian Jackson (McAvoy) navigates his first year at Bristol University.

Plot Keywords:

University | Politics | Thatcherism | Love | Team

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Joseph Friend	...	Young Brian
James Gaddas	...	Martin Jackson
Catherine Tate	...	Julie Jackson
Mark Gatiss	...	Bamber Gascoigne
Robert Cawsey	...	University Challenge Competitor
Rasmus Hardiker	...	University Challenge Competitor
Guy Henry	...	Dr. Morrison
James McAvoy	...	Brian Jackson
James Corden	...	Tone
Dominic Cooper	...	Spencer
Simon Woods	...	Josh
Sule Rimi	...	Marcus
Joe Van Moyland	...	Hippy at the Party
Rebecca Hall	...	Rebecca Epstein
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Patrick Watts

Also Known As:

Starter for Ten (UK) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and a scene of drug use.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:15A | UK:12A | Finland:K-7 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

Trivia:

Despite the fact she plays his mother Catherine Tate is only 11 years older than James McAvoy.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Venus by Bananarama is playing when Brian gets home for Christmas 1985. The song was not released until mid spring 1986.

Quotes:

Brian Jackson: Can you tell me what year it is?
Waiter: 1985.
Brian Jackson: [laughing] No, I know what year it is. I meant, what year is the wine?
Waiter: 1985.

Movie Connections:

References Casablanca (1942)

Soundtrack:

Ideas as Opiates

British and beautiful

I just seen this film at a surprise screening in Glasgow and I would recommend it to all. For one it features the amazing talents of James macavoy who doesn't disappoint in this slightly coming of age, slightly romance, slightly comedy drama which turns the world of relationships inside education upside down from deep crushes to background influences. The main appeal of this film was its ability to assault the viewer with pieces of hilarious wit that seemingly come from nowhere and features an amazing 80's soundtrack including the cure, undertones and new order. Its main downers however is a host of other actors that don't really get the attention they deserve such as the room mates that seemed to be quite interesting characters and even the female lead was given less of a personality and more of a distant "that girl you view from afar who you may or may not get at the end of the movie" and she wasn't necessarily poorly acted I just felt there could have been more development to her. But other than that the film was filled with witty and somewhat realistic situations that you could compare with to some extent which added to that air of authenticity that the good ol' British movie is good for. 8 stars for acting, writing, great soundtrack and well shot. -2 stars for less character development and being somewhat predictable near the climax.