Top 100: Withnail and I (Bruce Robinson, 1987)
"Here, hare, here"
Withnail and I is a great British classic. An extremely quotable film and -along with The Producers (the 1967 version) & This Is Spinal Tap- ranks as one of the funniest films of all time ever made. Ever. The threadbare plot is a mere canvas for some of the wittiest dialogue in film history, containing line after line of hilarious, sardonic quips.
The story concerns two unemployed actors, suffering life on the dole at the end of the 1960s London (England). This situation is very loosely based on Robinson's own experiences living in Albert street in Camden town, probably scraping enough cash together so they can get wasted at the Spread Eagle. Withnail (played by Richard E Grant in his greatest performance) is based on Vivian MacKerrell, whom was an acquaintance of Robinson during the Albert street years. Marwood (played by Paul McGann) plays the Robinson character.
The two thespians in crisis are tired, broke, and have just ran out of wine. They decide to get out of London for a while, and stay at a cottage near Penrith (in England's stunning Lake District), which belongs to Withnail's Uncle Monty. The real reason as to how Withnail managed to obtain the key from Monty becomes clear later in the movie, in the film's most cringe-worthy scene.
The rest of the movie is more-or-less centered around the young city-dweller's hopeless attempts at living in the countryside, surrounded by a supporting cast of larger that life characters. Talking of which, there's stupendous support by Ralph Brown as Danny, a drug-dealing lunatic. Famous thespian Richard Griffith plays Monty with theatrical exuberance. He is perfect, in fact all the cast are, which is quite amazing giving the film's low-budget roots (the film was funded by handmade films, which was founded by George Harrison, who also features on the soundtrack).
Not only are the performances truly outstanding, and the script hilariously iconoclastic, but the soundtrack is also very memorable. Excellent use of Hendrix throughout. It's worth pointing out that anyone who has shared a house with others during student days will identify with the subject matter... the poverty, the excessive use of drink & drugs... the lack of cleanliness, the embuggerment- oh no wait, strike that last comment from the record!
Withnail is a timeless British classic. Hilarious upon every viewing.. upon viewing.. upon viewing. It thoroughly deserves to be in my Top 100. Essential!
The new 2014 Arrow release is indeed a luxurious edition, and the blu-ray is a modest upgrade over the old Anchor Bay edition. The fact that the Arrow release includes How to get a head in advertising was -for me at least- a dealbreaker. Recommended!
