Starter for 10 (2006)

James McAvoy: Brian Jackson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Brian Jackson : I admit it. I'd made some mistakes. Okay, some big mistakes. Loads of them. But you can't hide in your room forever feeling sorry for yourself. It's not practical. At some point, you've got to get back out there, face up to things, and confront your demons. Ever since I can remember, I'd wanted to be clever. Some people are born clever, same way some people are born beautiful. I'm not one of those people. I'm going to have to work at it, put in the effort, and if I mess it up, I'll learn from it. Besides, sometimes it's not about knowing the right answer. Sometimes it's about asking the right questions.

• Tone : Are you shagging her then?

  Brian Jackson : It's platonic.

  Spencer : What does that mean?

  Tone : Means she won't let him shag her.

• Brian Jackson : Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be clever. Some people are born clever, same way some people are born beautiful. I'm not one of those people.

• Brian Jackson : Got an announcement to make. I'm gonna be on University Challenge.

  Julie Jackson : What a relief. I thought you were gonna say you were gay.

• Brian Jackson : And what about the fight. Was that somebody else's fault as well?

  Spencer : What did you expect? He was trying to make me look stupid.

  Brian Jackson : So you resorted to violence.

  Spencer : No, I didn't resort to it, violence was my first choice.

• Rebecca Epstein : Brian, are you trying to flirt?

  Brian Jackson : [embarrassed]  No.

• Rebecca Epstein : Happy New Year, Brian.

  Brian Jackson : Happy New Year, Alice.

  Rebecca Epstein : Alice?

• 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.

• Brian Jackson : Sometimes it's not about knowing the right answer.

• Brian Jackson : [trying to talk to Rebecca at a political rally]  Could we go somewhere... less angry?

• [First lines] 

  Brian Jackson : [Voice over]  Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be clever. Some people are born clever the same way some people are born beautiful. I'm not one of those people. I've had to work at it.

• Brian Jackson : Is Alice alright?

  Rebecca Epstein : [pause]  Brian, sometimes the people you care about the most just basically don't give a toss about you.

  Brian Jackson : Look, you don't know that.

  Rebecca Epstein : [irritated]  Well, go on then. Try, I dare you. Go and see her right now and tell her how you feel and then maybe we can all get some bloody peace.

• Brian Jackson : Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be clever. Some people are born clever the same way some people are born beautiful. I'm not one of those people. I'm gonna have to work at it. Put in the effort. And if I mess it up, I'll learn from it. Besides, sometimes it's not about knowing the right answer. Sometimes it's about asking the right question.

• [Spencer gives a tape to Brian] 

  Brian Jackson : Wow, thanks Spence.

  Spencer : God, it's only a tape - don't get all gay about it!