Withnail And I Reviews

Total genius

What a wonderful piece of work. Richard E Grant is fantastic as the cowardly alcoholic slob with a casual disregard for others, and the rest of the cast combine to make this a wonderfully enjoyable, fantastically funny piece of film, enjoyable by almost everyone on almost every level. Not one for the kids, obviously, hence the ratings tag and the bad language, but definitely one to make you laugh. Over and over again.

oh dear.....

I didn't watch this when it first came out - and it intrigued me to know what I might have missed out on. (It was in someone's 100 films you 'must see' list). It's described as a comedy - but, unfortunately I don't agree. It's not a comedy at all - I felt it was a very sad and depressing film - well, that's the effect it had on me.

The acting might have been good (in a manic and waaaaaay over the top way), but the characters that Grant and McGann played were dirty slobs, unsympathetic, drug-laden, alcoholics. All I kept remembering was that this was based on someone's real life and I felt so sorry for them if that's really what squalor they chose to live in. I've read in other reviews that they eventually realise what a waste they're making of their lives (although they mention they were nearly 30, so they took their time). But I couldn't stick around to watch it.

I wasted slightly over an hour on it - during that time there were one or two slightly amusing moments (shooting fish in the stream, the chicken in the oven) - but there were many far more sickening and depressing scenes to outweigh those.

I found it a very sad film overall. Not a comedy at all. I was sickened and disheartened by it all and couldn't watch it to the end.

A classic

This film is proof you don't actually need a plot in order to make a great film. Two rediculously impoverished unemployed actors struggle to make it through each day. They're pushed to the edge when they run out of alcohol and decide to spend a weekend in Withnail's lecherous Uncle Monty's cottage. Belly-laughs ensue as this movie is filled with classic scenes and memorable lines often regurgated by drunken students and a mass of die-hard fans. But underneath the humour its also incredibly touching, particularly the end scene and the performances by Richard E Grant and Paul Mcgann are infallible, particularly amazing as Grant doesn't drink. For anyone who's ever spent a good part of their lives surviving penniless on a diet of fags, booze and drugs this is must-see viewing.

Why Don't You... just switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead.......?

You watch this film and are simply left asking the question 'Why?' on many different levels. In short why did they bother to make this movie in the first place! You'd be better off spending the hour and a quarter humming... you'll enjoy it more and ultimately you'll find it more rewarding. Save yourselves.... switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead.....

Total Rubbish

This has got yo be one of the most over rated british films ever. The acting is completely wooden the storyline is dull and on the whole mellowdramatic and turgid to the point of being eye gougingly painfull. I hope never to waste another two hours of my life on something like this, shame on those that claim this film is a classic...........

A film to watch again and again!!

Quite the best film I have watched for a long time and one I just had to watch again and then again. With each screening I saw more and more and just loved the characters, the humour and the poignancy. The casting was superb, the direction painstaking in both its detail and its deft touch.

In all a mini classic, so evocative of the time and Grant, McGann and Griffiths were wonderful, as were all the minor characters that come back to mind so easily - the farmer, the publican,the poacher,the policemen, the cafe owner. Wow !!

what do you lot see in this ?!

so Sloooooooooooooooooooooooooow, not funny - had to go and watch paint dry instead - that was far far more interesting.................I can not for the life of me understand why anyone would find this interesting or funny.

Wonderful film

Wonderful film - both lead actors were superb throughout. The content was also warming to watch - whilst the film was made in the mid-80's, made one feel very wistful for the long-lost 60's.

Did I miss something?

I rented this on the back of the 'unmissable' and 'classic' reviews. I sat down with my wife and two teenage sons, but lost them after about 40 minutes. I stayed on until the end in the hope that I would understand the comic genius of the film and begin to empathise with the characters. What a waste of time.. the characters are completely unlikable, the plot is vacuous and self indulgent, however well acted. The humour is described as 'quirky' but actually its just not funny, but immensely sad.. firstly that people can lead such a harrowing and pointless existence and secondly that anyone can define this as humour. My recommendation is go and watch something else.

[Highly rated reviewer]

When do I start laughing?

This 'comedy' was recommended to me by by several friends. Maybe it's a film 'of it's time' but I thought it was awful.