…………………………………………………

Withnail and I Movie Review

Withnail and I is a 1987 British comedy film directed by Bruce Robinson and starring Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths. It’s such an amusing flick.

………………………………………………….

“I must have some booze.

I demand to have some booze!“

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous. This is a very strange movie that ultimately works because its character-based approach is undeniably excellent. Yes, that emphasis on personalities and humor led to a very problematic storyline that is badly paced and structured, feeling very much episodic throughout its runtime.

Some of those episodes don’t work all that well, but most do, and a couple are just terrific. Clearly every scene surrounding Uncle Morty was a winner. Richard Griffiths of the Harry Potter fame here plays this very over-the-top, odd person who is an obvious homosexual much to the danger of the two men. When he makes his sexual advances toward them, the movie reaches genuine comedic excellence.

I also really liked the countryside sequences. Those depicted this lifestyle so well and particularly how hard it can be for the city dwellers to try it out. The chicken scene was especially hilarious and everybody in the place being so rude and unwelcoming was also quite funny.

I did not care for the beginning and the ending. Both felt subpar in comparison to the mid act that was the film’s greatest part. Thankfully, those two are lesser in runtime, but still I wished for more memorable ways to start and end this movie.

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

Paul McGann is definitely good in Withnail and I, but it is Richard E. Grant who steals the show from everyone else. We have all been or met people like Withnail and Grant absolutely shines portraying this complicated person who is very memorable in all of his lines.

The dialogue throughout is amazing and I also liked the cinematography and some of the countryside imagery was superb. The direction and the pacing should have been better, but as a comedy movie, you expect these flaws. The humor is the most important aspect in this genre and here they delivered in spades.

Withnail and I is this very strange British comedy that is surely badly paced and structured. It is too episodic in nature with the quality of its segments being middling at times. However, when it is great, it truly shines, especially in its excellent dialogue full of amusing lines, strong humor, a memorable rural setting and terrific performances all around with Richard E. Grant being particularly outstanding in such a great role.

My Rating – 4