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Withnail & I (1986)
Director: Bruce Robinson
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A recent, laddish DVD release of Bruce Robinson’s hilarious and poignant film – complete with a ‘drinking game’ among the extras – proved that an embarrassing fanboy approach threatens to cloud the genuine worth of this unrivalled British comedy, which is being re-released under the ‘Summer of British Film’ banner. Set in London at the close of the ’60s, the film sports a biting script from writer-director Bruce Robinson and performances from Richard E Grant and Paul McGann as two ‘resting’ actors, Withnail and ‘I’, that neither has surpassed. There’s much to like: the pair’s ‘matter’-infested Camden flat; Withnail’s hysterical rants; Richard Griffiths’ endearing turn as Withnail’s sad uncle; the balance between arrogance and paranoia, humour and sincerity; the final, tender goodbye between the pair in front of London Zoo’s wolves. The wit is sharp – ‘They don’t like me being on the stage’, moans Withnail of his family; ‘Then they must be delighted with your career,’ bites back ‘I’ – and the lament to times past, friendships gone and experiences lost is affecting.Author: Dave Calhoun
User reviews of this film
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- ROY DRAKE said...
- Posted on Sep 02 2007 21:58 A wonderfully intelligent, funny, honest and moving film that genuinely deserves its growing cult status.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Bruce Robinson
Producer: Paul Heller
Cast: Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown, Michael Elphick, Daragh O'Malley full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 15
Duration: 107 mins
UK Release: Sep 7 2007
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