An Awfully Big Adventure (1994)

33% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(4,889 ratings)

A misleading title and a different type of performance from Hugh Grant are two of the offbeat features of An Awfully Big Adventure. Virginal theatre fanatic Stella (Georgina Cates), who speaks with her dead mother by phone, joins a theatrical troupe in 1947 England headed by manipulative director… More A misleading title and a different type of performance from Hugh Grant are two of the offbeat features of An Awfully Big Adventure. Virginal theatre fanatic Stella (Georgina Cates), who speaks with her dead mother by phone, joins a theatrical troupe in 1947 England headed by manipulative director Meredith Potter (Grant). Stella quickly falls for Potter, but he doesn't return her affections, driving her into the arms of the troupe's arrogant star, P.L. O'Hara (Alan Rickman). O'Hara eventually takes Stella's virginity, although she secretly remains devoted to Potter. More secrets of the troupe are revealed at the story's climax, although nothing is really resolved to any of the characters' satisfaction. Not quite a satire and not quite a drama, An Awfully Big Adventure is occasionally mean-spirited and frequently dour, which may just be a result of its subject matter. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Mike Newell
Written By: Charles Wood
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 21, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 19, 2005
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Star Hugh Grant and director Mike Newell reteam in this bitter-sweet backstage melodrama, set in Liverpool after WWII; it's a disasppointing follow-up to their smash comedy hit Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Newell at his nastiest
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Strange compelling film with strong performances
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Wow, is this depressing.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Alan Rickman was the reason I saw this movie, and he's great in it, but that's not the only reason it's good. The story is realistic, dramatic, sad, and has a very surprising ending. I highly recommend it.
Marion R

There isn't anything really terrible about his film is a well done and I liked the protagonist. I watched the film because of Rickman and I wasn't disappointed.

Cast

            Alan Rickman as P.L. O'Hara

            Hugh Grant as Meredith Potter

            Georgina Cates as Stella

            Alun Armstrong as Uncle Vernon

            Peter Firth as Bunny

            Prunella Scales as Rose

            Agnes Bernelle as Mrs Ackerly

            Alan Cox as Geoffrey

            Carol Drinkwater as Dawn Allenby

            John Drummond as Band

            Earl Gill as Band

            Tom Hickey as Freddie Reynalde

            Chris Kenevey as Band

            Pat Laffan as Mr Harcourt

            Patti Love as Mary Deare

            Ruth McCabe as Grace Bird

            Brian McGrath as Vicar

            Clive Merrison as Desmond Fairchild

            Johnny Murphy as One Eye

            Peter O'Farrell as Long John Silver

            Nicola Pagett as Dotty Blundell

            Edward Petherbridge as St. Ives

            Hilary Reynolds as Babs Osbourne

            Rita Tushingham as Aunt Lily

            Brendan Conroy as Disley

            Gerard McSorley as George

            Willie Smith as Empire Stage Manager

            James Frain as John Harbour
See full cast