Rent Withnail and I (1987)

Probably THE ultimate cult film: endlessly quotable, profoundly moving & perfectly acted - Withnail and I review by Timmy B

The title pretty much says it all. This film is perfection. The most staggering thing about it in many ways is that it works at all. If you say the plot to someone, it sounds like the worst film ever: 2 down-on-their-luck/penniless actors escape their filthy flat in London for a weekend in the country after finding favour with the camp uncle of one of them. The holiday is a complete disaster, then things get worse when they receive an unexpected & uninvited guest. They then return back to the flat & nothing much has changed. But, as was said wryly by Ralph Brown, "it just goes to show that sometimes you don't need a good plot!"

The best thing about Withnail is it's script. Written by writer/director Bruce Robinson out of desperation & depression when he was living in conditions like in the film, this is one of the funniest stories ever created. Filled with line after line of endlessly quotable dialogue, it has become a cult favourite, particularly amongst students who relate to its alcoholic & poor protagonists.

The performances are note-perfect, especially Grant as Withnail. Based on one of Robinson's friends, Withnail should be an absolutely revolting, horrible character who you wouldn't want to have within 100 miles of you. But yet he is utterly charming, a totally deluded & vain man who is constantly getting himself into unmentionable & excruciatingly embarrassing situations, sometimes by his own making.

Paul McGann is also perfectly cast, playing the "I" character, although his proper name is Marwood. Effectively a composite of Robinson himself, Marwood is a ball of nerves, the man who usually ends up at the sharp end when things go wrong, constantly worrying about things, mainly what new issue Withnail will cause the pair of them. Marwood is also a gentle soul, the water to Withnail's fire. It must be said without him/McGann's performance, the film would be totally unbearable.

And rounding things off is the brilliant Ralph Brown as Danny the dealer. Speaking in a nasally voice & always carrying various hard drugs, Danny is a genius of a character. Spouting off ridiculous conspiracy theories such as hairdressers being in the employment of the government due to hair being your ariels and picking up signals from the cosmos, he perfectly rounds off the ensemble.

From a behind the scenes viewpoint, again it's a miracle this film exists at all. After the first day's shooting, an attempt was made to shut it down by one of the producers, which only failed as Robinson threatened to walk off the film and leave everyone in limbo. The film itself also looks like it was made very cheaply, which adds completely to the charm of it. Effectively, the DVD looks like a pirate copy, although I haven't seen if there is a remastered version (to be honest I wouldn't want there to be, as it'll ruin the charm.)

But complete credit must go to Bruce Robinson. His determination, talent & brilliance as a writer/director resulted in this total & utter gem. Whilst it's sad that he never again reached these heights (although The Rum Diary was a very good attempt to reclaim some lost ground,) salivate & enjoy watching one of the best small films ever made. Then find some other fans & see how long you can keep quoting it (it'll be years!)

Flawless perfection.

Interesting film. DVD stuck a few times - Withnail and I review by CP Customer

I'm not sure how else to report the DVD was a bit "sticky", eg finishing about 10 minutes before the end. Had to retry it a couple of times before completing. Worth it to see how it all panned out for the characters

Comic Nostalgia (spoiler) - Withnail and I review by Steve

Cult social comedy which excels due to its quirky, quotable script and once-in-a-lifetime performance from Richard E. Grant as WIthnail, a volatile, unemployed actor who suffers the agony of his more stable friend (Paul McGann) finding work and leaving him behind. This is eccentric, nostalgic, poignant, and really very funny.

There is scarcely a plot; this is a character piece elevated by inspired casting. Like almost all UK comedy, it's about class. Withnail is a minor aristocratic wastrel and his companion a more rooted middle class stalwart. Comparatively! The support performances are legend and might have stolen the picture. But for Grant.

Writer-director Bruce Robinson based it on his own experiences at the end of the '60s, with the demise of the counterculture. The impression of the period is profound, including a well chosen soundtrack. Plus the roster of drink/drugs. The photography is evocative, the squalor is palpable and the sentiment is... quietly heartbreaking.

Particularly the pitiful resolution. Not everyone will relate to its scuzzy defeatism. And with such a loose narrative, there are longueurs. Yet the friendship of the out-of-work actors and the sensation of youth running out of road, may resonate more widely. There really isn't anything else like this.

Probably , the best film ever made - Withnail and I review by CP Customer

I moved to London in the late 80s and this bears a close resemblance. Funny, Classic, and a snap-shot of a lost sensibility that made this country so fertile.

Yet the Byron and Shelley characters could easily be from any of the last few hundred years. Out of work actors have rarely looked more romantic.

So dense and beautiful you can enjoy it time and time again, and The Crow has to be the best pub in the world.