Keep the Aspidistra Flying (film)
| Keep the Aspidistra Flying | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Bierman |
| Screenplay by | Alan Plater |
| Based on | Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell |
| Produced by | Peter Shaw |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Giles Nuttgens |
| Edited by | Bill Wright |
| Music by | Mike Batt |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | First Independent Films[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $373,830[2] |
Keep the Aspidistra Flying (released in the United States, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe as A Merry War) is a 1997 British romantic comedy-drama film directed by Robert Bierman[3] and based on the 1936 novel by George Orwell. The screenplay was written by Alan Plater and was produced by Peter Shaw.[3] The film stars Richard E. Grant and Helena Bonham Carter.
Plot
Gordon Comstock (Grant) is a successful copywriter at a flourishing advertising firm in 1930s London. His girlfriend and co-worker, Rosemary (Bonham Carter), fears he may never settle down with her when he suddenly disavows his money-based lifestyle and quits his job for the artistic satisfaction of writing poetry.
Cast
- Richard E. Grant as Gordon Comstock
- Helena Bonham Carter as Rosemary
- Julian Wadham as Ravelston
- Jim Carter as Erskine
- Harriet Walter as Julia Comstock
- Lesley Vickerage as Hermione
- Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Mrs. Wisbech (credited as Barbara Leigh Hunt)
- Liz Smith as Mrs. Meakin
- Dorothy Atkinson as Dora
- John Clegg as McKechnie
- Bill Wallis as Mr Cheeseman
- Lill Roughley as Mrs Trilling
- Dorothea Alexander as Old Woman
- Peter Stockbridge as Old Man
- Grant Parsons as Beautiful young man
- Malcolm Sinclair as Paul doring
- Derek Smee as Lecturer
- Ben Miles as Waiter
- Richard Dixon as Head Waiter
- Eve Ferret as Barmaid
Production
The title Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a pun on the socialist anthem "Keep the Red Flag Flying" but with the aspidistra houseplant instead representing middle-class English respectability.[4]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 69% based on reviews from 29 critics.[5]
Derek Elley of Variety magazine called it a terrific adaptation, and a "constant, often very funny delight to the ears". Elley praised the casting but was critical of the uncinematic direction.[4] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it 3 out of 4 and wrote: "For me it works not only as a reasonable adaptation of an Orwell novel I like, but also as a form of escapism, since if the truth be known I would be happy as a clerk in a London used-book store. For a time."[6] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave it a grade A−.[7]
References
- ^ "Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997)". BBFC. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ "A Merry War (1998)". The Numbers. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Keep the Aspidistra Flying". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ a b Elley, Derek (6 October 1997). "Keep the Aspidistra Flying". Variety.
- ^ "A Merry War (1998)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (28 August 1998). "A Merry War". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Lisa Schwarzbaum (11 September 1998). "A Merry War". Entertainment Weekly.