A Merry War (1997)
"Keep the Aspidistra Flying" (original title)

Gordon Comstock is a copywriter at an ad agency, and his girlfriend Rosemary is a designer. Gordon believes he is a genius, a marvelous poet and quits the ad agency, trying to live on his ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Bierman

Writers:

George Orwell (novel), Alan Plater (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard E. Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Wadham

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard E. Grant	...	Gordon Comstock
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Rosemary
Julian Wadham	...	Ravelston
Jim Carter	...	Erskine
Harriet Walter	...	Julia Comstock
Lesley Vickerage	...	Hermione
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Mrs. Wisbeach (as Barbara Leigh Hunt)
Liz Smith	...	Mrs. Meakin
John Clegg	...	McKechnie
Bill Wallis	...	Mr. Cheeseman
Lill Roughley	...	Mrs. Trilling
Dorothea Alexander	...	Old Woman
Peter Stockbridge	...	Old Man
Grant Parsons	...	Beautiful Young Man
Malcolm Sinclair	...	Paul Doring

Storyline

Gordon Comstock is a copywriter at an ad agency, and his girlfriend Rosemary is a designer. Gordon believes he is a genius, a marvelous poet and quits the ad agency, trying to live on his poems, but poverty soon comes to him.

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Plot Keywords:

poet | copywriter | poverty | wedding | thames river | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related material

Details

Official Sites:

First Look Media

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Merry War

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$373,830 (USA) (28 August 1998)

Gross:

$301,360 (USA) (23 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, BBC Films, Bonaparte Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

There is a suitcase beside Gordon as he sits on the park bench. When he leaves the park with Rosemary, Gordon does not carry the suitcase with him although it is no longer beside the bench.

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Quotes

[Cheeseman has just offered Gordon a job in his bookstore]
Mr. Cheeseman: Get pissed if you want, but no dipping your hand in the till. That *does* upset me, and I've got a cousin who breaks legs.

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Soundtracks

"Tiger in the Night"
Music and Lyrics by Mike Batt
Performed by Colin Blunstone

User Reviews

I Could Relate To It

KEEP THE ASPIDISTRA FLYING is a novel by George Orwell , a novel that is in many ways the author's autobiography . There's a problem in that since it mirrors the life of a litery giant it becomes sacrilege to modify it , I couldn't help thinking that perhaps the story could have been updated to a very late 20th century setting

On second thought perhaps not since 1930s London being replaced by 1990s LA with the plot centering on a young screenwriter wanting to break into the Hollyloot system does seem like sacrilege even if it would have increased the box office takings considerably , and as it stands I'm sure we can all relate to Gordon Comstock in someway , he is after all a frustrated poet with no money while most of the people who come to these pages are frustrated film critics with no money

That's where much of the enjoyment of this film lies , we understand the fiery but naive idealism and optimism of Gordon as he tries to get his foot inside the publishing door only to be met with frustration . Richard E Grant might be playing a similar role to the one in WITHNAIL AND I but he is fairly good in these self centered type roles

A fairly entertaining film about the hit and miss nature of writing for a living , though perhaps it appeals more to critics than to a mainstream audience