Withnail & I (1987)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Bruce Robinson

Writer:

Bruce Robinson (writer)

Release Date:

19 June 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

You are invited to spend an hilarious weekend in the English countryside.

Plot:

London 1969 - two 'resting' (unemployed and unemployable) actors, Withnail and Marwood, fed up with damp...

Plot Keywords:

Cottage | Actor | Countryside | Mixed Drink | Roommate

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Richard E. Grant	...	Withnail
Paul McGann	...	Marwood
Richard Griffiths	...	Monty
Ralph Brown	...	Danny
Michael Elphick	...	Jake
Daragh O'Malley	...	Irishman
Michael Wardle	...	Isaac Parkin
Una Brandon-Jones	...	Mrs. Parkin
Noel Johnson	...	General
Irene Sutcliffe	...	Waitress
Llewellyn Rees	...	Tea Shop Proprietor
Robert Oates	...	Policeman One
Anthony Wise	...	Policeman Two
Eddie Tagoe	...	Presuming Ed

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:R (Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #28355) | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Ansleigh Place, Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

Cannon Group, The

Trivia:

Handmade Films kept back £30,000 of Bruce Robinson's fee to pay for the scenes when Withnail and Marwood are driving through the rainstorm to get to Uncle Monty's cottage. The producers didn't believe these scenes were needed, but the director considered them essential. He was never reimbursed his money after the film's success.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Marwood is seen knocking at the Penrith cottage door looking for the farmer, there is a distinctive black coal bucket outside. When the camera pans out before he leaves, the coal bucket is no longer there.

Quotes:

[about a chicken]
Marwood: I think you should strangle it quickly before it starts trying to make friends with us.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV)

Who says a comedy can't be intelligent, sad AND laugh out loud FUNNY?

The first time I watched 'Withnail and I' in the late 80s I thought it was pretty good, but that's about it. Over the years, and a few more viewings, it really started to grow on me, and recently rewatching it on DVD for the first time I was struck at how brilliant and unique it is. It's a very subtle film really, and most comedy is admittedly a matter of taste, but if this movie clicks with you you'll most likely end up putting it in amongst your all time favourites. To me it's one of the greatest comedies ever. It's intelligent and sad and genuinely laugh out loud FUNNY, something you rarely see these days. The movie is episodic and seems to ramble on, but it's much more than a shaggy dog story, there's an underlying depth and melancholy to it that makes it something special. Richard E. Grant has never been better than this. Playing Withnail and writing his wonderful autobiography cement his place in film history as far as I'm concerned. Paul McGann is also excellent, and there are lovely performances from Richard Griffiths, Michael Elphick and Ralph Brown. EVERYONE is good in 'Withnail' but it's still Grant's movie all the way. He is just utterly brilliant! 'Withnail and I' is one of THE great British movies, and comes with my highest recommendation.