Monday 15 August 2011

Withnail and I (1985, Bruce Robinson)


A story about friendship (drugs and booze) and a holiday in the country.

This is a film that underwhelmed me the first time I saw it, two years ago.  However, on this, my second viewing, I think it’s a masterpiece.

This film is hilarious! And with so many quotable lines I wish I had a better memory.

It’s 1969 and struggling London actors, Withnail and Marwood, tired of the filth they live in and their uneventful lives, decide to rejuvenate themselves with a jaunt in the country. But without the modern conveniences with which they are accustomed, their friendship is put to the test.


Richard E Grant is superb as the ever-intoxicated Withnail and Paul McGann is brilliant as Marwood.

Highly recommended!

3 comments:

  1. I couldn't agree with you more Patty! The first time I saw this film (some time in the late nineties) I didn't enjoy it at all and I don't think I cracked a smile once. I tried it a couple of years later and enjoyed it a bit more and since then I have watched it 3 or 4 times and each time it got better and better til it has gotten in to my top movie favourites.

    So much so that while driving around England a few years ago I made my friend and I do a detour so I could go to Penrith in hope of seeing Monty's cottage and the telephone box. All we did was get stuck in traffic in the centre of Penrith and I thought "hmm maybe I should have done some research first".
    Speaking of Uncle Monty - I ADORE Richard Griffiths performance. He is so wonderfully potty and has some absolutely classic lines which (as with you Patty) I can't remember so I googled them, my favourite-

    I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium.

    Pricesless quotes and priceless dialogue. I got so excited about reading your review that I went straight out to buy it on bluray.
    It's a 5 star for me!

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  2. "Don't threaten ME with your dead fish"

    Thanks Jo. Love the story of your adventure in Penrith!

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  3. Hee! I had fogotten about the Penrith detour until reading your post today. I'll have to ask my friend about it to see if they remember more than I do :)

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