‘How To Get Ahead In Advertising’ Criterion Collection Blu-Ray Review – Outrageous Satire Is As Timeless As Ever

Writer-director Bruce Robinson and star Richard E. Grant, the cracked comic geniuses behind the cult favorite Withnail and I, reteamed for this diabolically dark satire of runaway capitalism in Margaret Thatcher–era England. Grant gives a virtuosically crazed performance as an ambitious advertising exec whose latest assignment—devising a campaign for a pimple cream—has him on the edge of a nervous breakdown. When he sprouts an enormous boil on his shoulder—one that not only talks but has evil ambitions of its own—a twisted battle of wills ensues. With fantastically fleshy body-horror effects and flourishes of gonzo surrealism, this tour de force of verbal jousting and physical comedy is a caustic Jekyll-and-Hyde tale for the greed-is-good 1980s.

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Video Quality

The Criterion Collection presents How To Get Ahead In Advertising on Blu-Ray with a 1080p master in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio derived from a 2K restoration of the 35mm Interpositive approved by director of photography Peter Hannan. We have never viewed this film in any form, but this transfer maintains an organic appearance without obvious filtering or DNR fouling up the image. The natural grain resolves favorably with no serious issues with the grain field becoming loose or clumpy. 

The transfer renders quite nicely when it comes to the bold color saturation in some of the clothing and environments. Discrete detail is impressive as you observe subtle facets of the hideous boil and the disheveled household as mania takes over. The source has been cleaned up with great care and precision to eliminate most wear and tear such as dirt, cuts, and speckling. The presentation side steps instances of nasty compression artifacts, banding, and other digital anomalies. The Criterion Collection has given this bizarre outing a worthy presentation. 

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray presents the film with a remastered DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio surround track in the original English that delivers exactly what you want. Dialogue is the star of the show as it flows through clearly while remaining easily discernible. The score emerges with the utmost fidelity. The movie is primarily character-driven moments that are showcased without a hiccup. Environmental sounds come through clearly without any semblance of distortion. There are no serious instances of damage or audio dropouts. The Criterion Collection has provided a worthy sonic experience for fans. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

The Criterion Blu-Ray of How To Get Ahead In Advertising includes a foldout pamphlet featuring the essay “Monstrous Carbuncle” by film critic David Caims which explores the film and the career of Bruce Robinson. The on-disc special features are as follows: 

• Bruce Robinson and Richard E. Grant: A new 29-minute interview with writer-director Bruce Robinson and actor Richard E. Grant in which they discuss their creative partnership, the themes of the film, how the story critiques Margaret Thatcher, the directing and writing style of Robinson, the performances of the ensemble, and more. 

• Trailer (1:57) 

Final Thoughts

How To Get Ahead In Advertising is a clever satire that was born out of Thatcher-era discontent, yet it feels just as prescient as ever with its timeless themes of capitalism, individualism, and the power of media over consumers. The biting content from Bruce Robinson is delivered with a peerless vigor by Richard E. Grant, which reminds you that he is one of our most valuable performers to this day. The film is zany and not an easy road to walk for those with a more straightforward sensibility, but those who enjoy something a bit twisted will have quite a bit of fun here. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new Blu-Ray that offers a shining A/V presentation and a welcome new interview. Recommended  

The Criterion Collection edition of How To Get Ahead In Advertising is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.