How To Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

57% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(4,762 ratings)

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… More 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, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Bruce Robinson
Written By: Bruce Robinson
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Jul 10, 2001
Studio: Image Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul
The running gag is that [this film about advertising] takes its own high-concept formula of a yuppie's just desserts and whips it up with more tang than any consumer could want.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Grant alone makes this eminently worth renting.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Thanks to Grant's bravura performance, the film is wickedly enjoyable.
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com
The difference between Withnail and I and this film is that here, Robinson is trying to deliver a message instead of focusing on his characters. Mistake.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One of the strangest, most outrageous, most bitter, irreverent and bitingly funny satires the movies ever offered.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
trippy
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
acerbic but overstated satire

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

One of my favorite films and for sure one of the best comedic performances is put in by Richard E. Grant. Actually I am very surprised by all the negative reviews I've read on here.
Megan S

I'm not really sure why I watched this movie, it was so strange. It was interesting at the beginning but by the end I just didn't care anymore.
Greg S

About to suffer a nervous breakdown due to a looming deadline to create a pimple cream campaign, a hot shot advertising exec grows a boil on his neck, which soon develops a face and a nasty personality. Does he need a dermatologist, or a psychologist? This weird and witty… More
About to suffer a nervous breakdown due to a looming deadline to create a pimple cream campaign, a hot shot advertising exec grows a boil on his neck, which soon develops a face and a nasty personality. Does he need a dermatologist, or a psychologist? This weird and witty advertising satire from the director of WITHNAIL AND I has been sadly neglected over the years.
Anthony L

This is a fantastic film, satire at its best. It's a crime that Bruce Robinson hasn't directed more films! Can't wait for The Rum Diary!
Ken S

Delightfully dry, zany and fun. "Boils don't have ears!"
Quinto W

This is a hilarious movie, excellent satire and has a great performance by Withnail himself, Mr. Richard E. Grant. This is something I can kinda relate to in a way because I'm a marketing student and eventually I will have a figurative boil on my shoulder when my different sides… More
This is a hilarious movie, excellent satire and has a great performance by Withnail himself, Mr. Richard E. Grant. This is something I can kinda relate to in a way because I'm a marketing student and eventually I will have a figurative boil on my shoulder when my different sides clash. Truly an exceptional movie not to be missed.
Barry L

Genuinly weird fiilm but well worth a watch.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Richard E. Grant as Dennis Bagley

            Rachel Ward as Julia Bagley

            Richard Wilson as Bristol

            Jacqueline Tong as Penny Wheelstock

            John Shrapnel as Psychiatrist

            Susan Wooldridge as Monica

            Mick Ford as Richard

            Jacqueline Pearce as Maude

            Hugh Armstrong as Harry Wax

            Sean Bean as Larry Frisk

            Rachel Fielding as Jennifer

            Donald Hoath as Businessman

            John Levitt as Businessman

            Victor Lucas as Tweedy Man

            Roddy Maude-Roxby as Dr. Gatty

            Gino Melvazzi as Waiter

            Pauline Melville as Mrs. Wallace

            Tony Slattery as Basil

            Pip Torrens as Jonathan

            Tanveer Ghani as Hospital Doctor

            Gordon Gostelow as Priest

            Dawn Keeler as Tweedy Woman

            Francesca Longrigg as Nurse

            Joanna Mays as Phillis Blokey

            Vivienne McKone as Receptionist

            Christopher Simon as Waiter

            Kerryann White as Girl in Elevator

            Lucy Boulting
            
See full cast