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 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.
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| 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 | BBC Films First Independent Films |
| Distributed by | First Independent Films[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $373,830[2] |
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.
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]
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 83% based on reviews from 23 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]
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