A Merry War Movie Review 1997

Gordon Comstock (Grant) is a frustrated ad-man in London, circa 1935. He believes that his comfortable middle-class lifestyle is stifling his creativity (he is mistakenly lead to believe that he is a poet when he gets published). Convinced that slumming is the only way to tap into his supposed talent, he quits his advertising job and moves into a shabby little apartment to augment his misery, despite the doubts of girlfriend Rosemary (Bonham Carter). Based on George Orwell's only comedy, which fictionalizes his own experiences in London and Paris. In spite of being a comedy (and a funny one at that), story has that Orwellian feel of political commentary and, naturally, makes a statement on social classes. Performances are solid, with the beautiful Bonham Carter showing her comedic chops. Very British pic will appeal to fans of '30s era dialogue.

Distribution

A-PIX Entertainment Inc., 200 Madison Ave., 24th Fl., New York, NY 10016, Phone: (206)284-4700, Fax: (206)286-4433

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 101 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Period Piece: 1930s, Writers, London, Books to Film: George Orwell

Screenplay

Alan Plater

Cast

Richard E. Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Wadham, Jim Carter, Harriet Walter, Liz Smith, Barbara Leigh-Hunt

Cinematography

Giles Nuttgens

Director

Robert Bierman

Music

Mike Batt

Producer

Peter Shaw, Overseas Film Group