Advertising Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Advertising" sorted by average review score:
Truth in Advertising
Released in DVD by 514 (01 April, 2000)
MPAA Rating:
Director: Tim Hamilton
Average review score:

Advertising Therapy
Having been in advertising since 1996, this DVD is absolutely hillarious and undeniably true. Its brilliance is in its frankness and willingness to be more truthful than reality. You'll see what I mean when you watch it.

For those who've seen maybe one or two scenes from email, this DVD is worth every penny since it offers the complete, hilarious work, in addition a film called the REEL TRUTH, which applies the same concept to the field of directing.

For those watching this video and considering going into advertising, one thing to remember is that the truths presented apply to most professions to some degree. So don't let it discourage you.

All in all, this film is brilliant and confronts all the frustrations the world of advertising has to offer. One thing to remember is that while all these frustrations are undeniably true so too is the power of the feeling of accomplishment when you see your work in print or on TV or hear it on the radio.

Yes, advertising is frustrating and this film presents those frustrations brilliantly, but don't forget the joys and if you need a refresher read Hey Whipple Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan.

In stiches...
Hilarious! Those not in the industry will love it. Those in the industry will watch it again and again...

How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Released in DVD by M G M, Inc (02 December, 2003)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Bruce Robinson
Starring: Richard E. Grant and Rachel Ward
After the release of Withnail & I, British writer-director Bruce Robinson continued his satirical assault on British culture with this fiendishly funny rant, the title of which can be taken figuratively and literally as an object lesson in the art of consumer manipulation. Nobody dupes consumers better than Dennis Bagley (Richard E. Grant); his genius in crafting seductive ad campaigns has earned him a country estate, countless awards, an admiring boss, a loving wife (Rachel Ward), and, well, a gigantic boil on his shoulder that's like a throbbing zit from hell. Dennis is so tormented by a difficult campaign for pimple cream--and so filled with self-loathing after years of promoting dubious products--that his inner demon, the media-savvy and profiteering side of himself, has manifested itself as a talking pustule with a mind (and a face and a voice) of its own.

Robinson's scathing critique of mindless consumerism begins with one of the funniest monologues ever written, and Grant instantly claims his role with manic perfection. A time bomb of repressed anxiety, Dennis blossoms in righteous protest against his profession, only to find his evil boil growing dominant, worrying his wife (Ward's performance is charmingly sympathetic), and inevitably seizing control. The movie's message is obvious and heavy-handed, and Robinson's blazing wit grows increasingly bilious and urgent, but you can't blame him for sniping at easy targets. As corporate synergy and rampant commercialism reach insane proportions, How to Get Ahead in Advertising grows more relevant than ever, holding a mirror to the grotesqueries of capitalism in extremis. --Jeff Shannon

Average review score:

Good vs. Evil?
How To Get Ahead in Advertising is a very interesting film based on human dualism. Denis Dimbleby Bagley (Robert E. Grant), the main character, is a rather successful business man in the world of advertising where he gladly walks over corpses in order to reach goals. The film begins at the crossroads where Mr. Bagley is coming in contact with his righteous qualities and wants to resign from his well-paid job. Meanwhile there is a malevolent trait lurking in his subconscious trying to get out.

Worth taking a look at.
I found How to Get a Head in Advertising, very original and funny. It wasn't as great as Withnail and I, but not far off. If you're a fan of Richard E Grant or Withnail and I, then I would strongly recommend this movie. If not you're not a fan of the two then it may not be your cup of tea.

Brilliant and Inspired
Well Bruce Robinson has done it again. After engaging us with classic 'Withnail and I' he has produced a prophetic film that says more about the way we live and those that cynically take advantage of the consumerist treadmill than 'Fight Club'. The passionate dialogues in the screenplay give an insight into Robinson himself and his view of where the global society is headed.

The performance of Grant as Bagnel, the schizophrenic advertising executive, is a masterpiece. Rachel Ward's performance is a little wooden but the rest of the cast are able to carry her along with them convincingly enough.

Let me warn you. Don't watch this if you're not prepared for it to make a lasting and life changing impact on your psyche. You'll never view an advertisement the same after seeing this picture. You may even find yourself with your head in a cardboard box making a video on global warming and carbon sinks -just like Bagnel. Get the local school to do a amateur production or even a rock eisteddfod on 'How to Get Ahead..'.

Considering this was made in 1989 the messages are brilliantly insightful and more relevant given recent global events. A modern classic.

How To Get Ahead in Advertising - Criterion Collection
Released in DVD by Home Vision Entertainment (10 July, 2001)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Bruce Robinson
Starring: Richard E. Grant and Rachel Ward
After the release of Withnail & I, British writer-director Bruce Robinson continued his satirical assault on British culture with this fiendishly funny rant, the title of which can be taken figuratively and literally as an object lesson in the art of consumer manipulation. Nobody dupes consumers better than Dennis Bagley (Richard E. Grant); his genius in crafting seductive ad campaigns has earned him a country estate, countless awards, an admiring boss, a loving wife (Rachel Ward), and, well, a gigantic boil on his shoulder that's like a throbbing zit from hell. Dennis is so tormented by a difficult campaign for pimple cream--and so filled with self-loathing after years of promoting dubious products--that his inner demon, the media-savvy and profiteering side of himself, has manifested itself as a talking pustule with a mind (and a face and a voice) of its own.

Robinson's scathing critique of mindless consumerism begins with one of the funniest monologues ever written, and Grant instantly claims his role with manic perfection. A time bomb of repressed anxiety, Dennis blossoms in righteous protest against his profession, only to find his evil boil growing dominant, worrying his wife (Ward's performance is charmingly sympathetic), and inevitably seizing control. The movie's message is obvious and heavy-handed, and Robinson's blazing wit grows increasingly bilious and urgent, but you can't blame him for sniping at easy targets. As corporate synergy and rampant commercialism reach insane proportions, How to Get Ahead in Advertising grows more relevant than ever, holding a mirror to the grotesqueries of capitalism in extremis. --Jeff Shannon

Average review score:

Good vs. Evil?
How To Get Ahead in Advertising is a very interesting film based on human dualism. Denis Dimbleby Bagley (Robert E. Grant), the main character, is a rather successful business man in the world of advertising where he gladly walks over corpses in order to reach goals. The film begins at the crossroads where Mr. Bagley is coming in contact with his righteous qualities and wants to resign from his well-paid job. Meanwhile there is a malevolent trait lurking in his subconscious trying to get out.

Worth taking a look at.
I found How to Get a Head in Advertising, very original and funny. It wasn't as great as Withnail and I, but not far off. If you're a fan of Richard E Grant or Withnail and I, then I would strongly recommend this movie. If not you're not a fan of the two then it may not be your cup of tea.

Brilliant and Inspired
Well Bruce Robinson has done it again. After engaging us with classic 'Withnail and I' he has produced a prophetic film that says more about the way we live and those that cynically take advantage of the consumerist treadmill than 'Fight Club'. The passionate dialogues in the screenplay give an insight into Robinson himself and his view of where the global society is headed.

The performance of Grant as Bagnel, the schizophrenic advertising executive, is a masterpiece. Rachel Ward's performance is a little wooden but the rest of the cast are able to carry her along with them convincingly enough.

Let me warn you. Don't watch this if you're not prepared for it to make a lasting and life changing impact on your psyche. You'll never view an advertisement the same after seeing this picture. You may even find yourself with your head in a cardboard box making a video on global warming and carbon sinks -just like Bagnel. Get the local school to do a amateur production or even a rock eisteddfod on 'How to Get Ahead..'.

Considering this was made in 1989 the messages are brilliantly insightful and more relevant given recent global events. A modern classic.

Advertising Rules!
Released in DVD by Columbia Tristar Hom (19 February, 2002)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Lars Kraume
Starring: Alexander Scheer, Götz George, and Chulpan Khamatova
Average review score:

this movie was awful
I lived in Berlin for several years and there are some great German comedies, but this is not one of them. The fact that it made it to an american video store led me to believe it would be pretty good, but it was horrible.

Fantastic, Funny Movie
As a German Studies student, I am constantly looking for new films to watch to practice language. It is particularly nice when the film is a good one. This film does not take itself too seriously, but it does have a heart, and parts are laugh-out-loud funny. The female lead in this movie is a cutie-pie, and the supporting cast is fantastic. You will appreciate this movie more if you understand German, but even if you don't, there are plenty of good sight gags. I am glad some recent German filmmakers have learned that movies don't all have to be grim and existential. Film can entertain as well.

Delightful German comedy
There were years when I would have thought the words "German comedy" were oxymoronic. Italian comedy, French comedy, British comedy--I could easily imagine all of those, but German?.....

But here we have it, indeed, a REAL German comedy. "Advertising Rules" is the story of a young man, Viktor Vogel, who cons his way into the world of big advertising--once "at the top," he learns staying at the top is not quite so easy as it seems, and he learns some painful lessons along the way.

This DVD was refreshing and optimistic.

Related Subjects: Business Agencies Employment Logo_and_Stationery New_Media Promotional_Items Resources