Review of Withnail & I (1987) by Doctor S — 08 May 2013

In late 1969 two heavy drinking London actor roommates, one a malcontent and the other a misanthrope, decide to try and lift their spirits with a weekend's getaway at a wealthy uncle's country home. Unfortunately for them, the rain is nearly constant, they have no fuel for the stove, they believe they are stalked by a surly local poacher, and the wealthy uncle who is also a galloping homosexual shows up unannounced to put them both on edge.

For a cult classic, I find this one more cult and less classic. There are some undeniably funny bits, but the claims of "brilliant writing" and "sharp dialogue" are overstated. Here and there, yes. Sustained over 100 minutes, certainly not to this particular ear. From my point of view, the greatest value of Withnail and I is the inspiration it gave to other comedians and writers. In particular, the Withnail character (played with sardonic panache by Richard E. Grant) must've been the prototype for Dylan Moran & Graham Linehan's sour-tempered Bernard Black of the hilarious UK series Black Books. The similarities during the opening minutes with their filthy lifestyles and quirky turns of phrase are irrefutable.

Worth a watch, and for me once is fine.