1001 Movies Club - Withnail & I (1987)

#763. Withnail & I (1987)

Why It's In The Book: "Bruce Robinson’s subsequent films may so far have proved a disappointment, but nothing can diminish the wonderfully idiosyncratic delights of his debut, a ruefully nostalgic comic account of living in partly self-imposed poverty and squalor in late-1960s Camden Town. Richard Grant is appropriately and hilariously acerbic and theatrical as Withnail… Paul McGann is equally effective… Withnail and I is more or less a one-off, its representation of a story taking second place to the very funny verbal and visual gags, the –oh-so-slightly grotesque exaggeration that underpins the comic remembrance of things past, and reveling in (revulsion for?) the colourful characters. Amazingly, it all – even the “Camberwell Carrot” joint – rings frighteningly true." -1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Member Ratings

Nicolas Krizan - 8/10
"sad, funny, and very British."
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Adolytsi - 7/10
"If you want a soggy film with very dark British sensibilities, this will happily be your cup of tea."
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Kim Wilson - 7/10
"Strange British humor is the best way I can describe Withnail and I (1987). At times it is irreverently funny,  and then there are moments when it just seems inane."
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Movie Guy Steve - 7/10
"This film is unpleasant, but is so by design."
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Siochembio - 7/10
"There were moments when I was legitimately laughing, and moments when I felt nothing but uncomfortable at what was supposed to be a funny situation."
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Squish - 7/10
"A little less destitute and a little more healthy than Ratso and Joe Buck, Withnail and Marwood, are the British comedic equivalent of Midnight Cowboy’s main characters. Wilthnail & I isn’t quite laugh out loud comedy, being more a typical British-dry with explosive moments of madness."
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Sunny D - 7/10
"It’s a good movie, and devoid of context I’d give it my standard blessing: perfectly good for what it is. But not must-see."
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Overall Rating: 7.2/10