Quite simply a genius piece of film making (Withnail And I (DVD))

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Withnail And I (DVD)
Date:	27/01/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Grant, McGann, locations, quotes

Disadvantages: None

This film really does fall into the category of films you simply must see before you die. This is especially true if you are British (as this film quintessentially is) or have ever been so skint you were tempted to drink lighter fluid....so that would be most of Britain at this moment in time!

Richard E Grant and Paul McGann play Withnail and I respectively, two 'resting' (out of work) actors struggling to make ends meet in London in the 80s. Withnail is from a wealthy background and they try to tap his hilariously camp Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) for cash but end up going on holiday to his cottage in the country instead.

What follows is a series of misadventures as they realise the locals think they are city dwelling idiots, the weather is atrocious and the house freezing, they have no food etc and their never ending thirst for alcohol / substances is not going to be quenched in the middle of nowhere. Withnail never quite realises that the world does not owe him a living, whilst the quieter I considers his life and what it means and fends of the unwanted advances of Uncle Monty (much to Withnail's amusement).

This film is brilliant for 3 reasons, firstly one of the most hilarious and quoteable scripts of all time, secondly Grant's portrayal of the egocentric and intoxicated Withnail is simply genius and thirdly some of the scenes in the windswept Lake District are beautiful and make you remember how stunning the British countryside can be.

There is a famous drinking game played by students and aficionados of the film where they try and match Withnail (and I) drink for drink, it is virtually impossible but shows the level of importance alcohol is given in the film.

The film ends poignantly with Withnail starting to reveal himself as a real person and an adult with responsibility for his own actions and maybe in this respect the disastrous holiday has achieved something.

Seriously - if you have never seen this film you dont know what you are missing, rent it or better still buy it cheap (its one of those films you will want to watch again and again) and indulge yourself for a couple of hours and be proud to be British.

Summary: Hilarious, cult film which you need to see