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Starter for 10

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Starter for 10

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Summary

Coming-of-age comedy starring James McAvoy. It's 1985 and gawky, working-class swot Brian Jackson is embarking on his fresher year at Bristol University. Given the opportunity to fulfil his lifelong dream of appearing on TV's University Challenge, he falls for his beautiful team-mate and forms a plan to win her heart through his advanced general knowledge skills. If only love - and quiz show glory - were that simple.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Sloan Freer

TV's University Challenge provides a hilarious framing device for debut director Tom Vaughan's spirited coming-of-age comedy drama. Adapted by David Nicholls from his own bestselling novel, it stars a charismatic James McAvoy as a gawky, working-class student navigating through his chaotic fresher year at Bristol University in the mid-1980s. Bittersweet lessons about life and love follow, precipitated by two headstrong girls (a chalk-and-cheese Alice Eve and Rebecca Hall) and a dream opportunity to compete in his favourite academic telly quiz (whose catchphrase gives the film its title). With its smart, pop culture-infused dialogue and evocative period soundtrack, this campus charmer has all the buoyancy of a John Hughes teen caper. But it's the sharp, distinctly British humour and nostalgic warmth that have most appeal. Adroitly combined, they enhance an otherwise conventional plot and bring out the best in a collectively fine cast - especially in the delicious, climactic re-creation of the TV programme itself.

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6.7/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameBrian JacksonJames McAvoyAlice HarbinsonAlice EveRebecca EpsteinRebecca HallJulie JacksonCatherine TateSpencerDominic CooperPatrickBenedict CumberbatchToneJames CordenBamber GascoigneMark GatissMichael HarbinsonCharles DanceRose HarbinsonLindsay DuncanJoshSimon WoodsLucy ChangElaine Tan

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Crew

rolenameDirectorTom Vaughan (1)

Details

Theatrical distributor

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Released on

2006-11-10

Languages

English

Guidance

Contains swearing, nudity and drug abuse.

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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