Starter for Ten
A couple of months before I started University back in 2004, somebody recomended that I read David Nicholls newly released book Starter for Ten. I enjoyed it immenesly and I would recommened it to anyone at or about to start university as even though it is set two decades prior, it really does give you a true sense of what university life is like. Unfortunately though I won't be recomending the film in the same way. The film like the book is set in 1985 and follows undergraduate Brian Jackson (James McAvoy) and his eventful first year at Bristol University. We watch his exploits in trying to romance the beautiful blonde Alice (Alice Eve) whilst getting along with "the right girl" Rebecca (Rebecca Hall) but not finding her attractive. And of course we watch his exploits in trying to get on the quiz show University challenge, hence the title "Starter for Ten", a famous phrase uttered by then presenter Bamber Gascoigne (played in the film by League of Gentlemen'sMark Gatiss) James McAvoy is rather convincing as a 19 year old student (he is 27 in reality) and is surely the only saving grace of what is a rather formulaic example of the state of British cinema. Director Tom Vaughn who is better known for directing small scale television work struggles to add any artistic style or unique signature to a film that literally goes through the motions and some becomes a very tiredsome and boring affair. I'm suprised that the book's author David Nicholls wrote the screenplay for what is a very watered down version of his book. Gone is the emotional reality of leaving your life behind to go to university (it is touched on but not explored enough) or the neurotic tendencies of Brian desperate to get on to University challenge to prove something to his Dad who has passed away. In fact, the University challenge aspect of the film is almost given to be an after thought in the third act of the film and is quickly glossed over in a film that completely loses it's heart and direction. One key plot point between the relationship of Brian and his best mate Spencer is left out from the book which would have added a needed emotional investment in the movie's second to third act. It's not all bad though, it is mostly a comedy after all and their is some truly funny moments, taken directly from the book. A scene involving the confrontation between a stoned Brian and Alice's naked parents in the middle of the night gets a good laugh, as does the performance of Benedict Cumberbatch as the team captain and surviving member of last year's team, desperate to make amends for his slip up that cost them the game last time around. If you are looking for a bit of 80's nostalgia or wanting to watch a mindless film about young love, friendship and university challenge then you may find something in this film, otherwise I would suggest to give it a miss and maybe catch it on TV in a couple of years. It really does feel like more of an extended TV show anyway than a motion picture, and at times catered towards an American audience's view of what it's like to be British. rating: 3
The boring rating matches what ends up being mostly a boring film. It would probably have better suited being a two-part TV comedy/drama and I dare say it will be forgotten about very quickly. Has a nice 80's soundtrack though and maybe if you haven't read the book you will forgive it's disregard of a couple of deeper moments. Starter for Ten is released in the U.K. November 10th and in the U.S. in February.