Starter For Ten
Delightful, yet predictable.
It's 1985, and Brian Jackson (McAvoy) is navigating his way through his first year at Bristol University. His love of trivia sees him join the University Challenge team where he meets, and quickly falls for, fame-seeker Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve). But is she the right girl for him? What follows is a quirky romantic comedy about class, honour, and the difference between wisdom and (general) knowledge. As directed by Tom Vaughan, 'Starter For Ten' is a delightful, yet predictable rom-com about love amongst the categories. McAvoy's performance brings fine lines to an otherwise fuzzy character and manages to keep the film going despite some looser plot details near the end. The film does finish before the buzzer, but only just. [Megan Garriock]