"Starter for 10" is an independent comedy that succeeds in its own funny, charming and quirky way. James McAvoy plays Brian, our central character that goes off to university to first achieve his dreams and prove his intelligence and then secondly he might meet some girls. Of course girls get in the way of everything.Brian is one of the best characters that this genre has seen. He's very funny in a subtle self-effacing kind of way, and completely relatable. You fall in love with him as he falls for the charms of Alice and tries to appear cool to Rebecca. He's also desperate to succeed on the University Challenge team and know he's clever. Isn't it frustrating when girls always get in the way? This film is set in the 1980s, so beware of bad hair and poor fashion, but enjoy the trip.

I can vaguely remember this film getting a roundly solid review from Empire Magazine several years ago before then disappearing never to be seen again in a UK cinema release that was somewhat less than banner. I carried on with my life regardless, move house several times, had a few relationships and then suddenly Starter for Ten popped back up on terrestrial TV this Christmas just gone. I recorded it as I was out but then it sat on my HD for several months before I decided to watch it. Why do I tell you so much of this detail? Well, because it turns out that my approach to the film was more or less what it deserved.Perhaps that sounds a bit harsh, but what I mean is that this film is certainly not one that is particularly memorable or worth writing home about (I appreciate the irony in me writing that phrase). It isn't bad though because it does have a certain comic charm and ambling curiosity to the story that held my attention. I didn't find myself caring too much about the plot or the characters but I was amused enough to be carried along with it. Amused is the right word though because the film isn't really all that funny in terms of pure laugh-out-loud moments and this, along with not really caring for the characters does contribute to the feeling of not really watching something that is anything other than a bit of light entertainment.In retrospect, the film will gain from the comparatively rapid rise to fame of McAvoy (who now has the mark of a "star" because he has done the lead in a terrible action movie). He is frighteningly young here but he does manage to deliver a geeky character while also keeping him appealing and engaging. Both Eve and Hall are attractive and likable in their parts; neither has a lot of depth due to the material but they pitch their performances right for the tone of the film. Of no consequence to the enjoyment of the film for most, the casting but lack of use of Elaine Tan was a shame because she is not only stunning but also very, very good at being light and gorgeous (ref 420 Seconds of Love) as was required by the film and perhaps this may have made the film more engaging by having Brian's other relationship also be within the team. Supporting turns from Cumberbatch, Corden, Cooper, Dance etc vary with the material but are mostly good enough for this.Starter for 10 is aptly named because it is very much a starter rather than a main course (I apologise for the lameness of that sentence but I'll leave it in since I am an amateur). It is light and enjoyable to a certain extent but it is neither funny enough nor engaging enough to really satisfy.

Another attempt to produce a UK hit like 'The Full Monty,' but it fails to really carry through the mixture of romcom, historical setting and nostalgia for University Challenge. Bits are OK, but it never all adds up. James McEvoy's character seems like something out of the sixties being platonically hot for blonde totty that prefers a bit of rough! And the best gag he has gets lost as we all ogle a naked Lindsay Duncan (in better shape than Traffik), who appears in a part along with Charles Dance that seems totally superfluous to the plot and rest of film. Dominic Cooper's roughcast failure tries but gets lost in sentimentality and a direct replication of Joe Gargery in 'Great Expectations.' Harvey Cumberbatch is mediocre sitcom so-called comic relief, and the University Challenge element is forgettable and really not required, except as a metaphor for the so-called great theme of the film - it's alright knowing the answers, but what do the questions mean, eg life? Great it was not set at Oxbridge and there are a number of nice scenes and good performances from the two young female leads, but it does not add up to much more than a small BBC telemovie to be hidden away in the schedules!

Like any film its relationship to reality is limited - and having been at Bristol just before the time the film is set (left in 1984) some stuff was not what I remembered - but my main pernickety gripes are that:1. Music - not what I remember from Epicurean/Dug out/Architects apart from Smiths/Cure/New Order - was much more punky/new wave/left field among students 2. Clothes/Style likewise - no-one I knew apart from posh people (though there were lots in Bristol) had any money, though I do remember one female student wearing white stilettos - and even the posh students didn't have new cars (even 2 CVs) or even any car 3. Not enough rain - it rained all the timeThere was one very accurate bit though - slightly intimidating tutor mugging wayward student and helping them realise they could grow up and learn - almost exactly the same thing happened to me (on Whiteladies Road). It would be interesting to know if this was a common experience as I always thought it was unique to me (I am fairly sure tutor pursuing me across the road was almost unique). Apparently now students don't have tutors in most universities, sadly