Welcome to the Layman's Review, where we give you a simple overview and a rating of some of history's most famous films. We're here to entertain you with facts and trivia, and to help you decide if any of these films are worth your time and interest. For a full list of movies on review, check out my previous post 'The Very Sciency Science Behind Film Choices'.
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Film: Withnail & I
Director: Bruce Robinson
Year: 1987
Running Time: 107 minutes
Big Names
Richard E. Grant - Withnail
Paul McGann - & I / Marwood
Richard Griffiths - Monty
Plot Summary
Two out-of-work actors find themselves fed up with their drug-addled lives in London and decide to set off on a mini-break to a cottage in Penrith. Far from rejuvenating, the adventure turns sour immediately upon arrival, and the housemates find themselves “on holiday by mistake,” and tackling one fiasco after another. Griffiths stars as Uncle Monty, an unseemly yet endearing character with an inexplicable vegetable obsession.
Top Quotes
“I feel like a pig shat in my head.”
- Withnail
“GET IN THE BACK OF THE VAN!”
- Policeman Two
“Give me the valium. I’m getting the FEAR!”
- Marwood
“All right. This is plan. We get in there and get wrecked, then we’ll eat a pork pie, then we’ll drop a couple of Surmontil-50’s each. That means we’ll miss out Monday, but come up smiling Tuesday morning. ”
- Withnail
“I’m preparing myself to forgive you.”
- Monty
Fun Trivia
- In the credits, Paul McGann’s character is listed only as ‘& I’, and his character’s name is never mentioned during the film. However, according to IMDB, Withnail’s partner-in-crime has the surname ‘Marwood’ in the script and he gets a letter with his name on it.
- Other actors considered for the part of Withnail include Daniel Day-Lewis and Kenneth Branagh, two actors from other films we have already reviewed. Day-Lewis was Johnny in ‘My Beautiful Launderette’ and Branagh played King Henry in ‘Henry V’. Incidentally, Bill Nighy was also considered for the role.
- Director Bruce Robinson has two cameo roles in the film: first, as the barman in a pub; second, driving the car on the highway headed back to London.
- Despite playing a raging alcoholic in the film, actor Richard E. Grant does not drink. He is actually a ‘teetotaller’ due to health reasons: his body cannot metabolize alcohol and is therefore highly intolerant.
- Side Note: Richard E. Grant has one of the best, most perplexing “Personal Life” sections on Wikipedia. You may want to check it out here.
Ratings
Jessica’s Rating: 5 Martini Glasses
I absolutely loved it. This film is hilarious with its unique, very dry humor - and it has some superb one-liners. Fabulous cast. A new favorite, no question.
I absolutely loved it. This film is hilarious with its unique, very dry humor - and it has some superb one-liners. Fabulous cast. A new favorite, no question.
Jeni’s Rating: 5 Martini Glasses
So relieved to find it was still as brilliant as I remembered it to be. Ludicrous, drunken and drug-filled, yes, but still brilliant. It’s a combination of scenarios set up to deliver brilliant one-liners, but with a storyline that is more reminiscent of a coming-of-age film. Just loved watching it again.
So relieved to find it was still as brilliant as I remembered it to be. Ludicrous, drunken and drug-filled, yes, but still brilliant. It’s a combination of scenarios set up to deliver brilliant one-liners, but with a storyline that is more reminiscent of a coming-of-age film. Just loved watching it again.
** For the record, we write up our reviews separately. The fact that we both cite the film's one-liners as a main draw was purely coincidental. And yet quite telling... **
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