Let's
stick to the UK for 2006's charming little rom-com STARTER FOR 10. This is a
1985 period piece, and has a kick ass soundtrack to show it, featuring The
Cure, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen and more.
Get
ready for a who's who of British actors who were destined for fame: James
McAvoy stars as a working class kid who is the only one from his group of pals
to move on to college. A lifelong fan of the University Challenge quiz show, he
joins his school's quiz team, led by Benedict Cumberbatch. A flirty blonde
(Alice Eve) is also on the quiz team, and McAvoy bounces between her and a
brunette political activist (Rebecca Hall) who catches his eye.
Things
come to a head when McAvoy's childhood friend (Dominic Cooper) visits from
their small town, highlighting the differences between McAvoy's future and
past.
The
whole thing is light and airy, with an emphasis on comedy. The University
Challenge subplot is enough to make the movie unique, even if most of the
romantic antics are paint by numbers. The movie acquits itself by having a fun,
youthful and talented cast and is probably even more interesting to watch in
hindsight, knowing all of the principles went on to bigger and better things,
than it was to watch back in 2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment