A Merry War

Play trailer

A Merry War

PG-13

1997

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When successful advertiser Gordon Comstock (Richard E. Grant) abruptly walks away from his career to pursue his dream of being a poet, his path is much more difficult than expected. At first encouraged by a prior publishing of his work, Comstock has trouble finding work, and soon financial problems begin to pile up. Also frustrating is that his former co-worker and girlfriend, Rosemary (Helena Bonham Carter), seems uninterested in sex, although she does stand by him despite his struggles.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Richard Williams

Guardian

Drains the novel of its class anger and turns it into a celebration of the joys of capitalism.

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

The picture feels awfully insubstantial.

Rated: 1/4

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Geoff Brown

Times (UK)

The result, bar the odd moment of muted humour, is the most pointless British film of the year.

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Matthew Sweet

Independent on Sunday

Unremarkable but efficient period film-making, crucially energised by a performance of battery-acid tartness by the incomparable Richard E. Grant.

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Everything that makes this imperfect book worth reading has been lost in turning it into a light period comedy.

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

Unfortunately the net result is simply old-fashioned and a bit patronising.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Tom M

I love Orwell. Mainly for his non-fiction and 'Nineteen Eighty Four'. This is based on the novel 'Keep the aspidistra flying '. Also it's UK title. Alan Plater does a good job adapting it and Richard E Grant a good job trying to humanise a very unlikeable character in the book. Quite witty and enjoyable .

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

Full Review

David W

A witty, quirky and very British character piece. The movie is elevated considerably by two excellent lead performances from the always reliable Grant and Bonham-Carter. A very enjoyable and thought provoking watch. Definitely recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Frances H

Witty Brit flick about a stolid middle class ad man who desires to be anything but and revolts from the bourgeois pursuit of money to become a poet. Not the kind of story one would expect from George Orwell, but good, with a great cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/13

Full Review

Audience Member

Richard E Grant's character was likable untill he threw all that money away...i could no longer watch after 45 minutes because i thought he didn't deserve to be happy after that. Julia is a complete mug.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Makes you feel what it might have been like living in the 30s in Art Deco London. Orwell's an astute observer of human nature, and storyteller. Terrific musical score, too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Strange... but the actors are good!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robert Bierman

Director

Richard E. Grant

Gordon Comstock

Helena Bonham Carter

Rosemary

Julian Wadham

Ravelston

Jim Carter

Erskine

Harriet Walter

Julia Comstock

The Pallbearer

48%

18%

The Pallbearer

Watchlist

The Bachelor

8%

28%

The Bachelor

Watchlist

Patch Adams

21%

73%

Patch Adams

Watchlist

Fools Rush In

31%

64%

Fools Rush In

Watchlist

Fathers' Day

26%

26%

Fathers' Day

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When successful advertiser Gordon Comstock (Richard E. Grant) abruptly walks away from his career to pursue his dream of being a poet, his path is much more difficult than expected. At first encouraged by a prior publishing of his work, Comstock has trouble finding work, and soon financial problems begin to pile up. Also frustrating is that his former co-worker and girlfriend, Rosemary (Helena Bonham Carter), seems uninterested in sex, although she does stand by him despite his struggles.

Director: Robert Bierman
Producer: Peter Shaw
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 15, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $312.3K
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now