How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Bruce Robinson

Writer:

Bruce Robinson (written by)

Release Date:

29 March 1990 (West Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy

Tagline:

The Career Where Two Heads Are Better Than One

Plot:

Dennis Dimbleby Bagley is a brilliant young advertising executive who can't come up with a slogan to sell a revolutionary new pimple cream...

Plot Keywords:

Advertising | Insanity | Diatribe | Psychiatrist | Satire

Cast

Richard E. Grant	...	Denis Dimbleby Bagley
Rachel Ward	...	Julia Bagley
Richard Wilson	...	John Bristol, Bagley's Boss
Jacqueline Tong	...	Penny Wheelstock
John Shrapnel	...	Psychiatrist
Susan Wooldridge	...	Monica
Hugh Armstrong	...	Harry Wax
Mick Ford	...	Richard
Jacqueline Pearce	...	Maud
Christopher Simon	...	Waiter
Gino Melvazzi	...	Waiter
Victor Lucas	...	Tweedy Man
Dawn Keeler	...	Tweedy Woman
Kerryann White	...	Girl in Elevator (as Kerry Ann White)
Vivienne McKone	...	Sullivan Bristol Receptionist

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

HandMade Films

Goofs:

Continuity: During the anniversary party, the strap on Julia's dress changes shoulders for one scene. When the dress is on the opposite shoulder, it looks a different colour as well.

Quotes:

Denis Dimbleby Bagley: My grandfather was caught molesting a wallaby in a private zoo in 1919.
Psychiatrist: A wallaby?
Denis Dimbleby Bagley: It may have been a kangaroo. I'm not sure.
Psychiatrist: You mean sexually?
Denis Dimbleby Bagley: I suppose so. He had his hand in its pouch.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Soundtrack:

Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 ('Organ Symphony')

Unbelievable yet realistic

I was so drunk the first time I saw the film, arriving very late at night, that I could not believe such a work had ever been produced. I searched for the original title for years, and recommended it widely. Later, when I got in touch with advertising and marketing professionals, I understood that any absurdity in the movie was only apparent. Indeed, it should be exhibited to every student considering an ad career. I still do not know whether it became a cult movie or not, but it certainly is very special for me. The inner conflicts that Bagley is thrown into, excellent lines thorough the movie, inspired camera placements, a certain do-it-yourself look, these things were perfectly blended to create a very intelligent work (with the exact amount of weirdness). Simply astonishing.