Search - How to Get Ahead in Advertising [Widescreen] [Criterion Collection] on DVD

Content Advisory: Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 07/10/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 34 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 28 Genres: Comedy, Satire, Black Comedy, Workplace Comedy See Also: How to Get Ahead In Advertising

After years of capitalizing on the weaknesses of a gullible public, a London advertising executive finds that his worst qualities have literally taken on a life of their own in this scathing satire. Successful copywriter Dennis Bagley (Richard E. Grant) lives a posh life with his lovely wife, Julia (Rachel Ward), in the London suburbs. Pushed to distraction by a bothersome new pimple-ointment account, he flirts with renouncing his career and becoming socially aware. Immediately thereafter, Bagley discovers that he's developed a zit of his own -- a monstrous boil on his neck that begins whispering evil things in his ear. Convinced that he's being taken over by his dark half, Bagley soon finds his "good" self relegated to the boil while his malevolent alter ego returns to the world of advertising with a vengeance. At first, Julia is relieved that her husband seems to have bounced back from the abyss of mental illness, but soon she realizes that she prefers the gentle but crazy Dennis to the poisonous professional. Written and directed by Withnail & I's Bruce Robinson, How to Get Ahead in Advertising reunites the director with that film's leading man Richard E. Grant. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Richard E. Grant - Dennis Bagley
Rachel Ward - Julia Bagley
Richard Wilson - Bristol
Jacqueline Tong - Penny Wheelstock
John Shrapnel - Psychiatrist

From the creative gang responsible for the cult comedy Withnail and I, writer/director Bruce Robinson and actor Richard E. Grant team up again to skewer consumer culture and the mighty Madison Avenue advertising machine. How to Get Ahead in Advertising's caustic laughs are brought to you by The Criterion Collection, and as with their simultaneous release of Withnail, the disc is indeed splendid. Presented in its proper theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the digital transfer was supervised by cinematographer Peter Hannan, making this release the definitive and preferable choice over previous home video appearances. Colors are perfectly balanced and the overall transfer is sharp and clean. Like a lot of movies made in the 1980s, previous video editions of this film came off a tad soft and almost hazy-looking at times. But this remastered transfer, without a doubt, rectifies the problem and really makes the film look great. As far as extras go, there is only a theatrical trailer included. As with the Withnail disc, there is sadly no commentary track from Robinson or Grant, which would have made this an even better treat. Nevertheless, this disc is required viewing for all fans of acidic satires and talking boil films. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide