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A Merry War

Play trailer Poster for A Merry War PG-13 1997 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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A Merry War

Critics Reviews

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Richard Williams Guardian 08/06/2024
Drains the novel of its class anger and turns it into a celebration of the joys of capitalism. Go to Full Review Ryan Gilbey Independent (UK) 08/06/2024
1/4
The picture feels awfully insubstantial. Go to Full Review Geoff Brown The Times (UK) 08/06/2024
The result, bar the odd moment of muted humour, is the most pointless British film of the year. Go to Full Review Matthew Sweet Independent on Sunday 08/06/2024
Unremarkable but efficient period film-making, crucially energised by a performance of battery-acid tartness by the incomparable Richard E. Grant. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) 08/06/2024
Everything that makes this imperfect book worth reading has been lost in turning it into a light period comedy. Go to Full Review Quentin Falk Sunday Mirror (UK) 08/06/2024
2/5
Unfortunately the net result is simply old-fashioned and a bit patronising. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tom M Feb 6 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 . See more David W 10/08/2023 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. See more Frances H 04/28/2013 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. See more 08/02/2011 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. See more 03/04/2009 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. See more 10/26/2008 Strange... but the actors are good! See more Read all reviews
A Merry War

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Bierman

Director

Richard E. Grant

Gordon Comstock

Helena Bonham Carter

Rosemary

Julian Wadham

Ravelston

Jim Carter

Erskine

Harriet Walter

Julia Comstock

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A Merry War

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Movie Info

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
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