Starter for 10

PG-13

Released Feb 23, 2007

1 hr. 36 min.

Romance

Comedy

Drama

List

90%

81 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working-class youth from Essex, gets a chance to prove himself when he is accepted to respected Bristol University. As Brian navigates his way through his first year there, he finds romance with two pretty students (Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall) and tries out for a popular TV program called "University Challenge."

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Critics Consensus

Starter For 10 is a spirited coming-of-age tale that remains charming and witty even as it veers into darker teritory. The unique setting of a quiz show makes the film wittier than your average romantic comedy.

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Michael Antony A

Mikey's Movie Review: 'Starter For 10' (2006) With a title that will likely confuse people ouside of the UK (it refers to a catchphrase on the TV show University Challenge), this is a lovely little Brit-Com starring James McAvoy, Dominic Cooper, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall, Charles Dance, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Gattis... oh, and pre Late Night fame James Corden. Mikey's Movie Rating: 3/5*

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

Full Review

miki t

heavenly handsome James! and classic story. wonderful!also little bit of Bennedict.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

Feel good romantic 80's vibe with superb post new wave soundtrack and a young Professor X & Dr. Strange.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Is starting at a 10 good? One guy might find out going after a woman who's a perfect 10 in his eyes or maybe his best friend? James McAvoy, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall, Benedict Cumberbatch, James Cordon Taking place in 1985 Brian is desperate to go to Bristol University But he has to trek his way through the complicated world of romance; he first comes across fellow student Alice who's perfect in almost every way However, he also meets Rebecca who's deeply fond of him But how can he choose between the two women? Brian also wants to compete in a tv program called University Challenge to test his knowledge McAvoy, Eve, and Hall are all so likable The actual tv competition doesn't start until the very end so we follow Brian for a majority of this trying to find himself Is he really in love or trying to show his knowledge is stronger? Maybe knowing everything isn't the most important thing, being smart can't replace love, the people who care about you don't care if you make mistakes it's what you do next that matters, it's not about knowing the right answer but asking the right question Conventional in many respects but charming still

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A fun and witty coming of age story that combines two of my favourite things: University Challenge and copious amounts of 80s music. It has a cracking British ensemble including James McAvoy, Catherine Tate, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rebecca Hall, Mark Gatiss, Dominic Cooper and unfortunately, James Corden. It's not outstanding by any measure, but it's always a favourite of mine to stick on when I'm not sure what to watch. A comfort film for sure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Starter for Ten fills in all the slices of my emotional trivial pursuit cake. Family love, bam. Intellectual pursuit, boom. Friendship, wham. Unsuccessful romance, wop. Successful romance, bop. Realizing that your biggest cock-ups don't define you, blam-o. It's a ‘yes' from me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Tom Vaughan

Director

James McAvoy

Brian Jackson

Alice Eve

Alice Harbinson

Rebecca Hall

Rebecca Epstein

Simon Woods

Josh

Catherine Tate

Julie Jackson

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Conventional, slight, but charming.

Dec 4, 2007

Full Review

Chris Tilly

Time Out

This is expertly crafted entertainment that follows all the beats of a traditional romantic comedy, but it's done with such sincerity that it's difficult to begrudge the odd descent into clich.

Sep 22, 2007

Full Review

David Fear

Time Out

There's nothing here we haven't seen done better before.

Rated: 2/6

Sep 22, 2007

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

McAvoy is piling up an impressive resume of leading-guy roles for an actor who doesn't at first glance possess leading-guy looks.

May 21, 2020

Full Review

Troy Patterson

Spin

Adhering to every convention of the coming-of-age film in a sneakily alluring way and flirting with cliche without slobbering all over it, this sweet little date-night flick is built to charm everyone's inner 18-year-old.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

While the love story is predictable, the amusing quiz show storyline and excellent post-new wave soundtrack almost make up for it.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 3, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working-class youth from Essex, gets a chance to prove himself when he is accepted to respected Bristol University. As Brian navigates his way through his first year there, he finds romance with two pretty students (Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall) and tries out for a popular TV program called "University Challenge."

Director: Tom Vaughan
Executive Producer: Sam Mendes, Steven Shareshian, Nathalie Marciano, Michelle Chydzik Sowa
Screenwriter: David Nicholls
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: Scamp Film and Theatre Ltd., HBO Films, Neal Street Productions, Playtone Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Scene of Drug Use|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 23, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $210.1K
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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