CHARACTERS/ACTING
The characters are brilliant, cultivated like pieces of art, each persona is perfectly crafted. The character of 'I' is a complicated mix of anxiety, seriousness and paranoia, thrown in are equal measures of love and dislike for Withnail. In contrast Withnail is selfish, witty and dry, disgusted he has come to this. Together they are the imperfect team. Paul McGann, a mostly unknown actor who later went on to become a successful television actor, plays the part of 'I' expertly, a natural in front of the camera you become convinced that McGann actually is this guy. Richard E Grant, who suffered personal trauma when his wife lost their unborn child in the making of this film, fit's the character of Withnail brilliantly. Withnail is a character so detached from Grant it's a wonder he could pull it off, Grant didn't smoke or drink, but remarkably he does; becoming one of the great cinematic characters of all time, the perfect anti-hero.
Griffiths is entirely convincing as Withnail's homosexual Uncle Monty, who invades the pairs private weekend with more than food and wine on his mind when he diverts his attentions to 'I'. A cringe inducing portrayal of the disappointed delicate Uncle, with an equal mixture of sorrow thrown in, you can't help but pity him. Ralph Brown who plays drug dealer Danny, makes a memorable but brief appearance in 'Withnail and I's' flat, is absolutely brilliant as the hippy with very few brain cells left. Delivering some of the best lines, this part could only have been reserved for one person, and luckily, he was able to make the shoot.

WARDROBE
Each character is given their own identity when it comes to this department. As much as 'I' is reserved, Withnail is flamboyant. 'I' normally wears variations on jeans and sweatshirts, John Lennon style boots, white Y-fronts, long leather coat and a farmers hat (an attempt to blend in with the local folk?). This gives him a look of stability, the sensible one, a lean post for Withnail, casualness and a look of the unfussy. Withnail wears garb similar enough to rival a poor eighteenth century dandy, with tail coats, scarves, long shirts and battered waistcoats…and shoes made from plastic bags. This matches his personality, edgy and flamboyant. Monty in bodies the outfit of a country squire, all flat caps and raincoats, checks and walking sticks. Danny looks like a 70's glam rock star, smudged eyeliner, tight flairs and tight vest tops, all finished off with a mass of hair (Brown is actually entirely bald). As the film progresses Monty becomes even more 'camp', eventually donning nothing but a silky bathrobe and eye shadow. Towards the end of the film 'I' dons a 1940's style short cut, symbolising his desire to clean up his act.

STATS
This film had been rated 15 in the UK due to it's bad language and reference to drugs.
It's 107mins of pure delight.
Written and directed by: Bruce Robinson
Music by: (a very impressive soundtrack) David Dundas and Rick Wentworth
Co-produced by: David Wimbury
Executive Producers: George Harrison (yes, the former Beatle) and Denis O'Brien
Produced by: Paul Hellier
Made by Handmade Films

COMEDY/TRADGEDY
'Withnail and I' is quite often referred to as a comedy. Obviously 'Withnail…' is hilarious and has huge comedic value. However, when watching the film I can't help noticing the message of desperation and depression which seeps beneath the humour. The plot and characters are really quite tragic, the characters are never really happy and continually desperate. They are broke, dregs of an era where anything seemed possible, left behind after the tirade happenings, and although there may be light at the end of the tunnel, you wonder if they'll hold on long enough to make it.