Review of Withnail & I (1987) by Gareth J — 26 Apr 2009
Its definitely not for everyone: obscenity, alcoholism, drug abuse and a strange homophobia, the tale will speak volumes to down and out actors who perhaps have been closer to the gutter than one likes to admit and the unusual characters one meets there or the strategies one employs to secure a steady supply of spirits.
The portrayal of alcoholism is satirically comic, both grandiose yet pitiful. As Uncle Monte says "its a shattering experience for an actor to realize that they will never play the Dane" - the film deals with failure: Richard Grant, after working in Hollywood, claims the film is unpopular in the US because people live in such fear of failure it is never confronted, where in Britain failed actors are the stuff of comic legend.
This review of Withnail & I (1987) was written by Gareth J on 26 Apr 2009.
Withnail & I has generally received very positive reviews.
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