Withnail & I

A very intelligent comedy with almost tragic elements. The witty writing and great acting push the movie to the next level. Richard E. Grant is hilariously wasted throughout, while Paul McGann provides a sympathetic point of view. I also love Richard Griffith's farcical portrayal of the upper-class Uncle Monty. It's such a multifaceted movie that it at once comes off as comedy, tragedy, farce, and even stoner flick. Did you see the joint Ralph Brown twists up at the end?! Sweeet.

A couple of loutish junkies running a muck in the English countryside in 1969 should have made for a more interesting time, I'm afraid. The two leads both do a great job--particularly the actor playing the hard-drugging Withnail--who steals nearly every scene he stumbles through--and although I never laughed out loud, I was amused throughout. The movie loses many points, however, by dragging out the old "it's time to grow up" routine for the umpteenth time without having anything new to add.

MONTY, YOU TERRIBLE CUNT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING PROWLING AROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING NIGHT?!

Two hapless out of work actors from London decide (during a 3 day speed bender) to spend a weekend in a countryside cottage, with hilarious results. The pair are so toxic with drink and drugs that they can barely function enough to feed themselves, and when a homosexual relative comes to stay with them the levels of farce reach absurd heights. A bitingly funny script paired with an acidic performance by Richard E. Grant makes a winning combination, but the ending falls slightly flat.

I certainly wouldn't want to be Withnail or I, but I wouldn't mind knowing them. It's one of those comedies that might not make you laugh out loud a bunch (though it certainly has its moments, especially the toilet trade encounter), but it's very amusing and leaves you with a smirk on your face. Also, Del Preston from Wayne's World 2 is in this. Fuck yes.