 |  | Get Showtimes... |
Review #430 of 365
Movie Review of Starter for Ten (2007) [PG-13] 96 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $9.50
Where Viewed: Landmark Chez Artiste, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 20 March 2007
Time: 9:35 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Tom Vaughan ("He Knew He Was Right")
Screenplay by: David Nicholls (Aftersun) based on his book
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) • Rebecca Hall ("The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends") • Alice Eve (The Rotters' Club) • Dominic Cooper (The History Boys) • Benedict Cumberbatch (Amazing Grace) • Catherine Tate ("The Catherine Tate Show")
Soundtrack: Download now from ![The Smiths - Starter for 10 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [With Interactive Booklet]](http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif){kind=small}
— or — order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Let's get the significance of the title out of the way first. Starter for Ten or Starter for 10 (the English version) really isn't so odd. It's sort of like "I'll take Famous Quotations for $25, Alex." See, it's what the host says prior to reading a question in the English version of a collegiate quiz show game which pits high achieving students from two different universities against each other. In some ways, while some of the characters in the film are on one of these quiz teams, the movie really isn't all that much about the quiz teams. Well, it is, but it isn't. Nonetheless, that's the source of the title of the film. The story actually is about a boy named Brian Jackson who pleases and impresses his father by knowing the answers to quiz show questions. He grows up to look just like James McAvoy—you know, Mr. Tumnus from the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe--and goes to Bristol University, where he tries out for the quiz team, and not to ruin this important plot point, but he actually doesn't qualify for the team because he gives to answers to one Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve) whom he instantly rather fancies. And who wouldn't given that she's probably the most attractive girl in the history of the quiz teams.
"…keep in on the 'See on DVD one Sunday afternoon in August list'.
Well, no matter, he's one of only four to try out for the three open spots, the other being held by post graduate student and team captain, Patrick (Benedict Cumberpatch) whom you might remember seeing take his turn as Prime Minister of England in Amazing Grace recently where, if I do say so myself, he demonstrates his acting skills vastly exceed those required to play this role though, perhaps, less comedic timing was necessary. Ah well, so, Brian's life for his first year of university is complicated as he sort of falls for two girls, the aforementioned Alice and the all causes activist Rebecca Epstein (Rebecca Hall). Rebecca is unreachable or unavailable to anyone placing the world's causes above her own needs through until New Year's Eve. This suits Brian just fine as he believes he prefers Alice. Brian's best mate from back home, Spencer (History Boys's Dominic Cooper) wreaks a bit of havoc on Brian's life mid-year as does his mother Julie's interaction with a potential stepfather. Alas, Brian's father has not lived to see Brian's success.
I should think, by this point, you've gotten the drift of the story line. And, most assuredly, you've gathered by my tone, style, and pace of writing, that indeed my feelings for this film are not that strong. I wasn't giddy with joy over this adaptation of English collegiate life in 1985. Likewise, I am not prepared to dismiss it as a mildly amusing coming of age film, although that description would suit it just fine. There is a love triangle and a series of important life lessons to be learned with some rather embarrassing moments—not the least of which would be The Fully Monty re-enactment after midnight in the kitchen of your girlfriend's parent's winter cottage starring…her parents…while you might be under the influence of an inexpensive yet quite illegal narcotic. There's a whopper of another one too that will need to be left for those that see the film to enjoy as it is pivotal to the ending which won't be given away here. Suffice it to say that Brian faces some critical choices in his life, and he learns handsomely from his missteps.
Technically, the film has some problems. First, the plot is not as engaging nor as significant given the days and times. Maybe in 1985, the film would have been more powerful. Second, the film looks washed out and has some technical flaws (a boom microphone dropping in for example). The acting is decent, though I certainly would not have been likely to cast James McAvoy in The Last King of Scotland after seeing this film. I wouldn't have known he could handle such an intense and demanding role. So, if you want to see real, amazing, James McAvoy, see The Last King of Scotland and be prepared to see two performances of a lifetime in that of Forrest Whitaker as well. There's an amateurish quality, sadly, to the entire film that is only worsened by some of the cheesy dialogue. This is definitely the first British film I've seen in the past year that does so little with the language. Generally, English writing is loaded to the brim with puns, double meanings, and clever phrases. Don't look for that here. I apologize, I usually do not mean to seem so negative about a film. This film is not horrible. It's just not ground breaking in any way. I would keep in on my "See on DVD one Sunday afternoon in August list.
I should think, by this point, you've gotten the drift of the story line. And, most assuredly, you've gathered by my tone, style, and pace of writing, that indeed my feelings for this film are not that strong. I wasn't giddy with joy over this adaptation of English collegiate life in 1985. Likewise, I am not prepared to dismiss it as a mildly amusing coming of age film, although that description would suit it just fine. There is a love triangle and a series of important life lessons to be learned with some rather embarrassing moments—not the least of which would be The Fully Monty re-enactment after midnight in the kitchen of your girlfriend's parent's winter cottage starring…her parents…while you might be under the influence of an inexpensive yet quite illegal narcotic. There's a whopper of another one too that will need to be left for those that see the film to enjoy as it is pivotal to the ending which won't be given away here. Suffice it to say that Brian faces some critical choices in his life, and he learns handsomely from his missteps.
Technically, the film has some problems. First, the plot is not as engaging nor as significant given the days and times. Maybe in 1985, the film would have been more powerful. Second, the film looks washed out and has some technical flaws (a boom microphone dropping in for example). The acting is decent, though I certainly would not have been likely to cast James McAvoy in The Last King of Scotland after seeing this film. I wouldn't have known he could handle such an intense and demanding role. So, if you want to see real, amazing, James McAvoy, see The Last King of Scotland and be prepared to see two performances of a lifetime in that of Forrest Whitaker as well. There's an amateurish quality, sadly, to the entire film that is only worsened by some of the cheesy dialogue. This is definitely the first British film I've seen in the past year that does so little with the language. Generally, English writing is loaded to the brim with puns, double meanings, and clever phrases. Don't look for that here. I apologize, I usually do not mean to seem so negative about a film. This film is not horrible. It's just not ground breaking in any way. I would keep in on my "See on DVD one Sunday afternoon in August list.
Back to Top | W.I.P. Scale™ | Most Recently Reviewed Films | Films of 2005 | Films of 2006 | Films of 2007
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Starter for Ten (2007)
Cast Members
James McAvoy
• Rebecca Hall • Alice EveDominic Cooper
• Benedict Cumberbatch • Catherine TateDirector
Tom Vaughan
Writer
David Nicholls
| CD Soundtrack | Book | |
Starter for Ten (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
James McAvoy plays a Bristol College student who tries out for the quiz team but doesn't make the team by a small margin which he willingly surrenders to Alice (Alice Eve) who takes his spot. Later, as he has success in the team, the rest of his life falls apart into chaos as he seems torn between his old life, his new life, and two girls. Lacking the technical spectrum of other great English films, this one seems a bit better than a made for tv film yet hardly of the caliber of films to which we've grown accustomed. While the central character does face some challenges and obstacles in his life, not of it qualifies as major motion picture worthy. The great star, James McAvoy cannot help but disappoint on the heels of his amazing role in The Last King of Scotland
No comments:
Post a Comment