Withnail and I..... (Withnail And I (DVD))

Member Name: newby2

Product:	Withnail And I (DVD)
Date:	11/07/09 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I didn't fall asleep

Disadvantages: None

Withnail and I......



I have just watched a film for the first time in months without actually falling asleep and I think this is due to the fact that it was such a great film.



Background.....

This film was made in 1986 but is set in the late 1960's. It has many famous people the I recognised in it and I do believe that most of these actors became so famous after appearing in this film. Richard E Grant plays Withnail and Paul McGann plays "and I". Other appearances include Richard Griffiths who I know from playing Harry Potters Uncle in all the HP films.


The film was apparently quite a "cult" film in its day and is said to be one of Britain's biggest cult films. The film is actually taken from an unpublished novel written in 1969 by an author called "Bruce Robinson" and the work is based upon his life in London in the late 60's.



Plot....

The film is centred around two main characters, Withnail and I, through out the film the "and I" character is never given a proper name but this hardly matters as it has no bearing on the story as a whole. They are two unemployed actors struggling for work in London. Both seem rather eccentric though Withnail seems the craziest of the pair.


The film begins with seeing them in their rather run down and dirty flat in what seems to be a rather inebriated state. At first I was unsure whether they were just crazy drunk or completely out of it on some other substance but it was probably a bit of both. I soon picked up on the fact that Withnail is more the leader of the two but does get himself into more of a drunk and drug fuelled state compared to his friend.


As Withnail drinks away his obvious demons with his career and the world as a whole the "and I" character follows his steps to various pubs and ends up joining him in a bid to secure a holiday home from his Uncle. Withnails Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) is a "raging homosexual" and has somewhat of an eye for poor "and I" and this is what I feel secures the cottage in the country for the pair.


As the two friends head out into the country side the rain pelts down and they struggle along for miles with one windscreen wiper and one single headlight but surprisingly do make it to their destination without too much trouble.


On arrival at their "holiday home" they find the accommodation far from pleasing and spend their time freezing cold and in need of something to eat. The night is spent in their coats and rather unhappily. After a night from hell they venture out to find some food and dry wood for the fire. They come across the local farmer who helps them out somewhat but on a drunken night in the local Inn upset a crazed poacher who threatens them both and leaves them rather paranoid and scared about being in the cottage.


They however get a night time visitor which scares the hell out of them both as they assume it is the poacher coming for them in the dead of night. Instead they are hiding under the covers when Uncle Monty turns up to spend a couple of days with them. This much to the dread of "and I".


After a day spent with Uncle Monty "and I" seems rather worried to be left alone with him and his fears were right as that same night after many drinks and Withnail taken to bed after several drinks too many "and I" is cornered in the bedroom by Uncle Monty and his unrequited desires which he has to fend off as best he can.


After being utterly ashamed uncle Monty heads back to London in the morning leaving the pair alone once again. A Telegram arrives for "and I" informing him that he has got the lead role of a film so this seals the fact that the pair are to return to London that very same day too.



My opinion....

The film is rather a strange one because there isn't really that much going on. A lot of the films that are made today seem to have so much going on that you really need to be on your toes to keep up with who is who and what is going on. However this film I find has a rather basic plot and storyline but seems to offer so much more.


The actors are very well cast and I do believe that both Paul McGann and Richard E Grant were perfect for the two main roles. Grant plays the role of a drunk perfectly and the pair work seamlessly together.


It was easy to follow but being very enjoyable at the same time. I can see how it is based on the life of a gentleman from that era as it feels as though you are getting a sneak peak into a snippet of someone's life. Not anything exceptional happens but there are a good few laughs on the way.


As I said at the beginning of the review I have not watched a full film for ages because I never seem to have the time and when I do I always seem to fall asleep this film ran for 108 minutes which was just the right amount of time but in that time I don't think I found myself looking at the clock once.


I am going to give this film a great rating of five stars and a high recommendation. It was well worth paying the £2 for the Sunday Times a few weeks back to get this DVD free. I do know that you can pick this up for next to nothing on the internet and if you haven't seen it then I would say it is definitely one to put on the "to watch" list.


A great film that I probably will watch again.



I do hope this has been of some help to you.

Many thanks for taking the time to read.

Summary: A great film