McAvoy is piling up an impressive resume of leading-guy roles for an actor who doesn't at first glance possess leading-guy looks.

| May 21, 2020

Adhering to every convention of the coming-of-age film in a sneakily alluring way and flirting with cliche without slobbering all over it, this sweet little date-night flick is built to charm everyone's inner 18-year-old.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 25, 2019

While the love story is predictable, the amusing quiz show storyline and excellent post-new wave soundtrack almost make up for it.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2018

...a perfectly watchable (yet far-from-memorable) romantic comedy/coming-of-age story.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 18, 2011

A sweet, funny nostalgia trip back to the '80s for the anglophile in all of us.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Aug 26, 2008

Sharp jokes and heady nostalgia ensure it will at least please a wide audience.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 25, 2008

James McAvoy delivers a star turn as Brian, a kid from the country obsessed with becoming smart.

| Apr 5, 2008

Conventional, slight, but charming.

| Dec 4, 2007

There is an utter lack of visual energy at every turn, like every single take in the final cut was the last shot on that day of shooting.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 27, 2007

This is expertly crafted entertainment that follows all the beats of a traditional romantic comedy, but it's done with such sincerity that it's difficult to begrudge the odd descent into clich.

Full Review | Sep 22, 2007

There's nothing here we haven't seen done better before.

| Original Score: 2/6 | Sep 22, 2007

A modest and very British movie.

| Sep 22, 2007

McAvoy carries the picture confidently enough as a leading man, and there is a nice performance from Benedict Cumberbatch.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 22, 2007

[The film] bears many of the hallmarks of teen comedies, but also boasts virtues not generally associated with the genre, such as wit, class consciousness, multidimensional characters, and a penetrating intelligence.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 22, 2007

It's a well-written, well-acted, witty and cute coming-of-age story with a superb soundtrack that includes the Cure, Wham!, the Smiths, New Order, Tears For Fears, and Echo and the Bunnymen.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 22, 2007

Has a strong story and engaging characters, even if it never really says anything terribly deep or meaningful.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 22, 2007

Enjoyably fluffy romantic comedy with a witty script, an 80s-tastic soundtrack and a superb comic performance from James McAvoy.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 22, 2007

A film whose own wisdom about the world seems principally derived from innumerable coming-of-age tales.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 22, 2007

Starter For Ten comfortably makes the grade for rib-tickling entertainment.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 22, 2007

This is a true winner, and the smartest comedy you will see this year.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 22, 2007