IT'S 1985. Shy, sensitive Essex lad Brian Jackson (James McAvoy) has nurtured a love of trivia since he was a child.

So it seems only natural that he should want to escape his working class roots and dive head first into higher education at Bristol University, leaving behind his tearful mother and best friends.

He settles in quickly at his new digs and signs up for auditions to find the campus' new University Challenge team, captained by the officious Patrick.

Brian is instantly smitten with his blonde nymphette teammate Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve), who plans to use the television exposure to launch herself as an actress.

The two enjoy a brief fling but something seems to be missing from the relationship.

Could it be the emotional connection Brian feels with placard-waving political activist pal Rebecca Epstein?

Starter For Ten scores maximum points with its hilarious one-liners and winning performances, including a great cameo for Mark Gatiss as quizmaster Gascoigne.

First time-feature director Tom Vaughan, who cut his teeth behind the camera on the television series Cold Feet, doesn't try anything too flashy, concentrating on Brian's accident-prone journey of self-discovery.

James McAvoy is scarily believable as a socially awkward 18-year-old, who is ill equipped to woo the woman of his dreams. He brings vulnerability, innocence and immense likeability to his role, representing the dreamer in all of us, who risks humiliation to follow his heart.

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