Review of Withnail & I (1987) by Lucien L — 06 Feb 2015

Written and directed by Bruce Robinson, who was once a jobbing actor who turned to screenwriting and got an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for The Killing Fields (1984). For his next film, he did this semi-autobiographical black comedy which grabbed the attention of George Harrison, who produced it for Handmade Films.

It's a very peculiar film, but one with a lot of laughs and hilarious dialogue. Set in Camden Town in 1969, two struggling actors Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and Marwood (Paul McGann) live in absolute squalor, they drink all day, they struggle to get any acting work, and there's something growing in the sink.

They need to get away from it all, and after a meeting with Withnail's Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths), they end up going to Monty's country cottage in the Lake District for a holiday. But, when they get there they find their situation is no better.

Matters aren't helped when an intruder breaks in, but it turns out to be Uncle Monty, who takes a shine to Marwood, who Withnail told Monty was gay so they could get a loan of the cottage. It's a bizarre film, but it has some absolutely brilliant dialogue in it, and it doesn't shy away from the dire situation of our heroes.

It might have divided audiences and some critics when it came out, but it's a gained a well deserved cult status, and it deserves to have it. Plus, this is a holiday you won't forget in a hurry!!