Tom Vaughn who's next romantic comedy was "What Happens in Vegas" directs James McAvoy from The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition) & Atonement (Widescreen Edition). As Brian Jackson, McAvoy plays the small-town lad who heads to university only to have romantic heart trouble which makes his head all mushy. Mushy-headed, he screws up the famous quiz bowl with an ethical lapse before clearing his head, finding the right girl and answering the big questions. Catherine Tate plays his mother Julie Jackson, intent on finding a new romance after the son leaves home. Off at college, Brian meets Alice Harbinson played by Alice Eve. Eve is in "Crossing Over" with Harrison Ford. As Alice Harbinson, she's a brainy stylish woman who sets Brian Jackson's heart throbbing. Eve invites McAvoy's character for New Year's. Unfortunately, Brian smokes some funny stuff and makes inappropriate comments when he accidentally runs into Alice's naked parents at the fridge. Charles Dance from Gosford Park and Lindsay Duncan from Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition) bare all briefly as Michael and Rose Harbinson. Back to college, Brian's friend Spencer played by Dominic Cooper shows up and beds Brian's girl. This leads Brian into a tailspin which is only turned around when he realizes that Rebecca Epstein, played by Rebecca Hall who was in The Prestige, is the girl for him. The DVD extras are interesting as we see interviews from the cast and director. "Starter for 10" entertains, although hardly groundbreaking. Enjoy!
July 14, 2008 |  | Ruined by an artsy ending |  |
I guess it was realistic and artsy to give depressing ending to "Starter for Ten."
Good acting but the director was clearly in a split mind as to what kind of film he was making. The film starts with the promise of 'about a boy, but looses its way. The actor playing Bamber Gascoin must have been told it was a piss take. The ending is implausible and only serves to make the watcher feel a fool for watching beyond the boring start.
June 18, 2008I love James McAvoy, but I wish I could say this was a great movie. Although there were a few humorous scenes, the movie was, overall, disappointing. McAvoy did play the character well, but the storyline was my biggest issue. Watching this move made me feel more awkward and uncomfortable than I have in my entire life.
June 1, 2008This is a slight film, but one well worth seeing for the fine performance by James McAvoy. A plain-looking nerd who goes off to college seeking to distinguish himself both as academically knowledgeable and, at the same time, as a ladies' man, he must strike a chord in the hearts of thousands of first year undergrads just like him. What McAvoy has going for him especially is his ability to ooze charm from every pore without being in the slightest degree sickeningly sweet. It is his memorable performance which distinguishes an otherwise pretty formulaic college comedy of heartbreak and eventual triumph.
May 26, 2008Very funny and cute. I would have liked it to have a little more depth all around, especially between McAvoy and the woman he eventually falls in love with.
April 14, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
(15 reviews)