I laughed when the little girl on Britains got talent fluffed her lines and burst out crying..... do...
I laughed when the little girl on Britains got talent fluffed her lines and burst out crying..... does that make me a bad person?
Member since:19.08.2001
Reviews:130
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Most people haven't heard of this film let alone watched it, they are missing out! Withnail and I is one of the all time classic British cult films!
The Cast ********
Richard E Grant – Withnail Paul McGann – "I" Richard Griffiths – Uncle Monty Ralph Brown – Danny Michael Elphick – The Poacher
The story *********
Withnail and I are two drunken, drugged up out of work actors. Living in squalor in a Camden flat. They wake up one day and realise it is just 90 days until the end of the decade and the sixties. They are ill and in a rut, only one thing can help them, a holiday. Withnail comes from a rich family and is convinced by "I" to contact his Uncle Monty. Monty has a holiday cottage in the country and agrees to let the two stay there for for a while. Little did "I" know that Monty has an alterior motive for his generosity, a penchant for young actors!
The charcters *************
Withnail is a classically trained actor slowly losing his mind from boredoom and the excesses that fill his spare time almost completely. Good friends with "I" he always thinks of himself first and "bugger the consequences"
(as he might say!)
"I" is struggling to keep a grip on reality too. Although his worries lie more in coping with his own sexuality. Slightly more sane than Withnail he sees the seriousness of situations that arise but still gets unwittingly dragged along by them. "I" also narrates throughout the film!
Uncle Monty is a former thespian and "luvvie". Completely eccentric, his taste for young "male" actors leads him to some rash actions. Rather on the large size, you would not want this man to take a liking to you!
Danny or "Head hunter" to his friends is a drug dealer, philosopher and inventor of the "Camberwell Carrot!". By far the funniest and most interesting character in the film ( and that's against some stiff competition!) Danny has some wise words to say, particularly about Bald men, pay attention when he speaks!
The Poacher, grumpy and menacing, or is he? You decide!
The Actors **********
Richard E Grant, born in Swaziland this was the first screen appearance of this hard working actor. Brilliant in his first film role, he went onto to star in films and plays far too numerous to mention. To give you a taster, Hudson Hawk, LA story, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Pret-a-porte, and my personal favourite of his Jack & Sarah, you should definitely see that it is excellent!
Paul McGann, arguably the most talented actor out of the McGann brothers. Didn't really get into the public eye until he starred in the made for television series as Percy Toplis in The Monicled Mutineer. Also seen in Aliens 3 and The Doctor who movie. Nothing much to say about the rest of his career except that he is excellent in this film. Great actor who should be a lot better known than he really is due to some poor career choices!
Gormenghast, Blame it on the bell boy, Golden eye, just some of the films surrounding Richard Griffiths. He is and always has been a large man and is always easily recognisable. Another fine performance and yet another actor that has gone on to bigger things since appearing in Withnail & I .
Lock, Stock and two smokin Barrels, The Phantom Menace, The Crying game, Lexx, this man is fast becoming a film and television God. He plays Danny one of my all time favourite characters in any film. DO NOT MISS HIS PERFORMANCE in Withnail & I.
Michael Elphic, the usual menacing performance. Loads of television appearences, most recently in Eastenders. To be noted for "Boon" but I remember him best as "McGowan" the nutter in Auf weidersehen pet!
The Writer/Director *******************
Bruce Robinson wrote and directed this film and I have to admit I do not know as much about this director as perhaps some others. Screen credits include, "Jennifer 8" and "How to get ahead in advertising". He started out as an actor and Withnail & I was his directorial debute. He does well, the film has a feel of it's own and can only really be described as " a quaint masterpiece". Supposedly autobiographical his only other real claim to fame and it's quite a claim, he wrote the script for The killing fields!
Music *****
Some classic tracks to go with the sixties feel including "hendix" amongst others. The music fits in with the film superbly and you will be humming along to it. That’s all I have to say about that!
Overall view ************
Great film which was the platform from which so many fantastic actors began. It’s very funny and even makes some interesting points. This film is another classic to add to the collection and is available in widescreen on video and DVD. The title is a classic quote from the film. The film is 1 hour and 43 minutes in length and you will be engrossed for the whole time!
*** Oh just noticed that Paul McGann is starring in a two part thriller at 9 o'clock on BBC 1 tonight, must be worth checking out!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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I've poss seen this 30 times, I would have to aggree, well written op. gives enough details of film without spoiling it. Very funny film much recommended
jools30 18.10.2001 12:24
This is a film I have always fancied watching but never got round to. Must give it a look. Thanks for the op. Julie
julietta 16.10.2001 01:20
Great, great film - perhaps my favourite of all time. Certainly, hard to beat is this. Loved the review too and thanks for the everlasting memory!
Set in 1969, the year in which the hippy dreams of so many young Englishmen went sour, ... more
1986's Bruce Robinson'sWithnail and Iis an enduring British cult. Fellow enthusiasts cry immortal phrases from the endlessly brilliant script to one another like mat...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Set in 1969, the year in which the hippy dreams of so many young Englishmen went sour, ... more
1986's Bruce Robinson'sWithnail and Iis an enduring British cult. Fellow enthusiasts cry immortal phrases from the endlessly brilliant script to one another like mat...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
London. The '60s. two unemployed actors - acerbic, elegantly wasted Withnail (Richard E. ... more
Grant) and the anxiety-ridden I (Paul McGann) - drown their frustrations in booze, pills, and lighter fluid. When Withnail's Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) offers...
Set in 1969, the year in which the hippy dreams of so many young Englishmen went sour, ... more
1986's Bruce Robinson'sWithnail and Iis an enduring British cult. Fellow enthusiasts cry immortal phrases fromthe endlessly brilliant script to one another like mati...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Hilarious performances all round, great soundtrack, one of the finest scripts known to humanity Disadvantages: Not for the easily-shocked...
james.bridgeman 14.04.2001 ·
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Review of Withnail And I (DVD)
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