A classic (Withnail And I (DVD))

Member Name: Jayne

Product:	Withnail And I (DVD)
Date:	24/11/00 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great cast, and one comic genius of a film

Disadvantages: It may not be to everyone's tastes as far as humour is concerned

I admit that until last week I hadnt even seen "Withnail and I", and so I finally decided to give it a watch after hearing many people comment on what a classic it was.
I knew that I'd enjoy this film, but I was pleasently surprised that a comical film like "Withnail and I" would have such a poignant and quite sad ending.

The film focuses on two down and out actors Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and Marwood (Paul McGann) who are truly fed up with their dull and gloomy lifestyle of London in 1969. They finally have had enough of their squalid and freezing cold flat, and cannot even contemplate on attempting to make a start on the mountain of washing up (which they are sure is infested with rats), so they look for a solution. The pair finally come up with what they think is an answer to their city-life problems, and opt for a holiday in the seemingly idyllic countryside, courtosy of Withnail's rich uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) who has a cottage there.

However all is not how the pair pictured it to be when they arrive at the cottage which is set about a terrible storm of rain and contains no food or fire wood (so they resort to breaking the cottages furniture in order to get the fire started). The city boys have over-estimated country-lifestyle, and most of the film centres on their hilarious (and pathetic) attempts to adjust to the country. A particular highlight is when Withnail and Marwood receive a chicken from a local farmer. The one snag is though that the chicken is still very much alive
(Withnail: "How do we make it die?") and has to be literally cooked from scratch. I practically had a laughing fit when the pair wonder on what to cook the chicken in, before attempting to stuff it into a kettle (animal lovers beware!). Another great scene is when the two leave a farmers gate open that lets out a bull, and after Withnail jumps to safety Marwood is left to takle the fierce bull on his own...
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br>Things go from bad to worse for them when they are stalked by a mad poacher, who they think is trying to kill them one night, only it turns out to be Monty who has arrived to "save" the pair from hypothermia and starvation. However it is clear that he has something else on his mind when he begins to take an unhealthy interest in Marwood, who then has to figure out how to tell Monty that he is not that way inclined.

Although nothing much happens in this film it constantly remains a delight to watch, notably for the excellent performances from both Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann. I should also mention the fantastic Ralph Brown (who you may have also seen in "Wayne's World 2") as drug dealer/permamently stoned Danny, whose appearance may be brief but particularly memorable in the film. My favourite part is when Danny is talking about a prestigious joint he has made, christened the Camberwell Carrot: "It is called a Camberwell Carrot because I invented it in Camberwell and it looks like a carrot".

"Withnail and I" is indeed the classic it is heralded to be, and if you've yet to see this film then you are seriously missing out. It is serious cult viewing and one you'll be quoting from for days afterwards. You will not be disappointed.

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