- Actors: Richard E. Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Wadham, Jim Carter, Harriet Walter
- Directors: Robert Bierman
- Writers: Alan Plater, George Orwell
- Producers: Robert Bierman, John Wolstenholme, Joyce Herlihy, Peter Shaw, Sara Giles
- Language English
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Cinema Club
- VHS Release Date: 1 July 2002
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000055KI4
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,229 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In George Orwell's semi-autobiographical novel, to "keep the aspidistra flying" meant something on a social as well as a personal scale. This film adaptation pares material down into a more concise chapter in the struggle for artistry as experienced by Gordon Comstock (Richard E Grant). At New Albion Publicity he's the best copywriter they've ever had, and long-suffering girlfriend Rosemary (Helena Bonham Carter) knows it. Unfortunately, Gordon quits to concentrate on writing poetry. Post-WWI London is reluctant to accommodate him however, and not even the aspidistra plant at his lodgings will give him an answer despite screaming obscenities at it. Veering between successes and failures, this is the story of coming to terms with a society that no longer has a place for free-ranging artists. Grant is the perfect victim of these circumstances, and even when you're berating his selfishness, you can't help but sympathise. The production design of the film is superb with wonderful use made of the few remaining suitable period locations in London. Populating the scenery are some wonderful cameos, such as Bill Wallis as the contentedly illiterate bookstore owner Mr Cheeseman, and Liz Smith as slightly lecherous landlady Mrs Meakin. --Paul Tonks
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To anyone who has read the book: it's a complete travesty of Orwell's gritty and sleazy style which makes you need a shower after you finish it. It's Merchant Ivory from start to finish, with rosy cheeked cockneys and "My Fair Lady"-style costumes, and Orwell should be spinning in his grave fast enough to keep the National Grid ticking over for a fair few years to come.
To anyone who hasn't read the book - don't, and enjoy what is one of the most interesting and romantic films I've seen come out of the UK (forget Bridget Jones!). Richard E Grant is amazingly intense as Gordon Comstock, who could be the hero of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" if he stopped writing bad poetry and started taking up investigations into canine homicide. His jade green eyes light up the whole production, and he goes onto my lengthening list of sexy male actors. Helena Bonham-Carter is just perfect as his feisty girlfriend Rosemary, and the sex scenes are just tantalising enough to be believable, yet the whole thing is done with exquisite taste.
One star off for the lack of Orwellian grittiness, but I enjoyed it immensely once I got over the lack of shadows.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I read the Orwell book about a while ago and remember loving it, and while I was looking for some Helena-Bonham Carter movies I came across this - and I'm so glad I did.
This tidy and warm movie really inspired me in a way that few movies do. It just struck a chord. Perfectly casted and acted. Richard E. Grant was perfect as the ambitious, though misguided poet, struggling against the classes. It's a story I think most people can relate to. A great presenation of the class system of the times.
A wonderful performance by Carter. I fell in love with her again, having done so in so many of her other movies.
The dvd release is standard with no special features. It's just the movie and nothing else - but that's all that you need. Overlooked, but warm as tea for one with chocolate biscuits ^_^
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Based on a 1936 novel by George Orwell, Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a 1997 film, set in 1920s London and starring Richard E Grant and Helena Bonham Carter. Gordon Comstock (Richard E Grant) is a copywriter at an ad-agency and believes he is a genius and a marvellous poet. He hates being part of this middle class and tries to make his way his way into the upper class. Comstock tries to follow his muse to the death and drags everyone along with him, by quitting the agency and trying to live on his poems but soon poverty gets the better of him. His girlfriend Rosemary (Bonham Carter), a designer and a sharp and extremely modern woman for the times, squabbles and argues with him with malevolent affection to try and make him see sense, and eventually she winds up in a predicament that compels her to demand that he makes his choice. This is an excellent film in which Grant and Bonham-Carter portray their characters marvellously. Attractive settings are used and there is the flair of comedy brought by Helena Bonham-Carter. The only thing touching on the mediocre side is that it is a little slow in getting started but after that it soars. If you liked the book by George Orwell then I would definitely recommend to you this film, as it is a funny, flawless adaptation of one of Orwell's best novels. Also starring Julian Wadham, Jim Carter and Liz Smith.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Atmospheric.
Captures the mood and atmosphere of the period - Richard E Grant is a very interesting character.
Published on 19 May 2010 by Stuart G. Robinson
A pleasant film of a non-great novel
I admire George Orwell more than I admire any other English writer of his generation, but I have (I hope) no illusions about his genius; most of his novels aren't very good, and... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2008 by lexo1941
A good version of one of Orwell's lesser known films
A good version of a not very well known book by George Orwell. In 1930s London, Gordon Comstock (Richard E. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2008 by Andres C. Salama
What a terrible adaptation!
I was very eager to see this film, being as I am a massive Orwell fan. However I found the adaptation disappointing in the extreme. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2003 by dan
Keep The Aspidistra Flying
This is a lively but faithful adaptation of George Orwell's very good novel. The novel is regarded as one of Orwell's lesser works but a lesser novel by a great author is still... Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2003 by Rob Monster
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