I did not find the film quite as predictable as some of the reviewers have claimed (I expect they just mean the love story).
It has its faults, especially the fact that the two girls are far too beautiful to have gone for a nerd. Also, apart from their hair colour, they are somewhat interchangeable. Surely Rebecca should be more ordinary looking, a political firebrand who cares little for her appearance? The plot is also not without problems. In particular, we never know what happens after the recording of University Challenge is broken off and how it is that, after weeks of absence, Brian can so easily return to his studies, as if nothing has happened.
I also do not agree that Benedict Cumberbatch is good in this. He overacts terribly in my opinion, and his character is a cardboard cliché.
These defects are all compensated for by other characters, but mainly by the fantastic performance of James McAvoy. Although much older than the character he portrays, he is entirely convincing. He has the accent perfectly (without overdoing it, which must be a temptation) and he manages to show Brian as something of a nerd, but also as a real human being. (He is not a complete nerd, by the way, otherwise he would be unlikely to have the friends he has back home in Essex).
It is a minor gem and well worth watching.
It has its faults, especially the fact that the two girls are far too beautiful to have gone for a nerd. Also, apart from their hair colour, they are somewhat interchangeable. Surely Rebecca should be more ordinary looking, a political firebrand who cares little for her appearance? The plot is also not without problems. In particular, we never know what happens after the recording of University Challenge is broken off and how it is that, after weeks of absence, Brian can so easily return to his studies, as if nothing has happened.
I also do not agree that Benedict Cumberbatch is good in this. He overacts terribly in my opinion, and his character is a cardboard cliché.
These defects are all compensated for by other characters, but mainly by the fantastic performance of James McAvoy. Although much older than the character he portrays, he is entirely convincing. He has the accent perfectly (without overdoing it, which must be a temptation) and he manages to show Brian as something of a nerd, but also as a real human being. (He is not a complete nerd, by the way, otherwise he would be unlikely to have the friends he has back home in Essex).
It is a minor gem and well worth watching.