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How to Get Ahead in Advertising

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
Trailer for How To Get Ahead In Advertising
Play trailer1:52
2 Videos
16 Photos
ComedyFantasy

A cynical advertising exec has a block at work leading to a meltdown. He's hilariously out of control. Getting a big, talking boil on his shoulder doesn't help.A cynical advertising exec has a block at work leading to a meltdown. He's hilariously out of control. Getting a big, talking boil on his shoulder doesn't help.A cynical advertising exec has a block at work leading to a meltdown. He's hilariously out of control. Getting a big, talking boil on his shoulder doesn't help.

  • Director
    • Bruce Robinson
  • Writer
    • Bruce Robinson
  • Stars
    • Richard E. Grant
    • Rachel Ward
    • Richard Wilson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    6.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bruce Robinson
    • Writer
      • Bruce Robinson
    • Stars
      • Richard E. Grant
      • Rachel Ward
      • Richard Wilson
    • 43User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    How to Get Ahead in Advertising
    Trailer 1:52
    Watch How to Get Ahead in Advertising
    How to Get Ahead in Advertising
    Trailer 2:16
    Watch How to Get Ahead in Advertising

    Photos16

    Video release poster, 1 sheet movie poster
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant and Rachel Ward in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Rachel Ward in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    Richard E. Grant in How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
    George Harrison and Olivia Harrison at an event for How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard E. Grant
    Richard E. Grant
    • Bagley
    Rachel Ward
    Rachel Ward
    • Julia
    Richard Wilson
    Richard Wilson
    • Bristol
    Jacqueline Tong
    Jacqueline Tong
    • Penny Wheelstock
    John Shrapnel
    John Shrapnel
    • Psychiatrist
    Susan Wooldridge
    Susan Wooldridge
    • Monica
    Hugh Armstrong
    • Harry Wax
    Mick Ford
    Mick Ford
    • Richard
    Jacqueline Pearce
    Jacqueline Pearce
    • Maud
    Christopher Simon
    Christopher Simon
    • Waiter
    Gino Melvazzi
    Gino Melvazzi
    • Waiter
    Victor Lucas
    Victor Lucas
    • Tweedy Man
    Dawn Keeler
    • Tweedy Woman
    Kerryann White
    • Girl in Elevator
    Vivienne McKone
    • Sullivan Bristol Receptionist
    Donald Hoath
    • Businessman
    John Levitt
    • Businessman
    Gordon Gostelow
    • Priest
    • Director
      • Bruce Robinson
    • Writer
      • Bruce Robinson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film Julia switches on just before Denis comes home is Bullshot (1983), another HandMade Films production. Mel Smith is seen on screen.
    • Goofs
      After Bagley has lunch with his wife, she drops him back at the advertising firm's office building, but it is a different building to the one used for the interior scenes, which is the tall red building several hundred yards up the street (visible in the crane shot of their car pulling up), right next to the Lambeth bridge, as we can see from the window view in the scenes in Bagley's and Bristol's offices.
    • Quotes

      Denis Dimbleby Bagley: My grandfather was caught molesting a wallaby in a private zoo in 1919.

      Psychiatrist: A wallaby?

      Denis Dimbleby Bagley: It may have been a kangaroo. I'm not sure.

      Psychiatrist: You mean sexually?

      Denis Dimbleby Bagley: I suppose so. He had his hand in its pouch.

    • Connections
      Edited into Video Macumba (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Oscillate Wildly
      (uncredited)

      Written by Johnny Marr

      Performed by The Smiths

      Courtesy of Rough Trade

    User reviews43

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Advertising...
    This highly original comedy was Robinson's follow up to the drunken crowdpleaser Withal & I. In comparison, there are equal one-liners here, with two Grants for the price of one and a strong stance against greed, consumerism and Margaret Thatcher. The transplant scene is awesome!

    Only reason it's not 10/10 is that is gets a little too preach near the end.
    helpful•2
    0
    • cyncamden
    • Nov 12, 2021

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    FAQ17

    • How long is How to Get Ahead in Advertising?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 29, 1990 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Handmade Films Website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ein erfolgreicher Mann
    • Filming locations
      • Datchet Railway Station, Datchet, Berkshire, England, UK(scene where train pulls into station)
    • Production company
      • HandMade Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $418,053
    • Gross worldwide
      • $418,053
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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