Somewhere in the tenebrous recesses of our souls is the saving ability to laugh in recognition at our most forlorn circumstances. The funniest films mine this trove of despairing exigencies in an urgent, played-for-real mode. And none do it better than WITHNAIL & I, now available in a obliging uncut version on DVD.
Buy,Download, Or Stream Withnail and I – Criterion Collection! Click Here
Bruce Robinson, the sometime actor and screenwriter (”The Killing Fields”), made his 1986 directorial debut with his semi-autobiographical screenplay that is widely considered the greatest neglected comedy of all time. The slender dwelling is simple. Flatmates Richard E. Grant (Withnail) and Paul McGann (& I) are two stoned, hungry, broke, and out-of-work actors wallowing in self-made squalor. When they collect an opportunity to utilize a weekend in the country cottage of Withnail’s three hundred pound Uncle Montague, they go, hoping to “rejuvenate.” What ensues is an extraordinarily deranged weekend of drunken delusion and distraught discovery that you will never forget. To divulge any more narrative details would be a tainted disservice to those who have not yet found this wonderfully zigzag, fair and perfect film.
Richard Griffiths is unsettling as the campy, dissolute predator cousin Montague and Ralph Brown is spot-on as Danny, the slow-talking, menacing but philosophical dope dealer. Hard to bear this was Richard E. Grant’s first film. Even harder to acquire is that he is a non-drinker who doesn’t smoke.
Buy,Download, Or Stream Withnail and I – Criterion Collection! Click Here
Perfectly cast, nearly every spoken line is unfiltered emotional truth and most are quotable — especially the caustic diatribes of drunken, acerbic Grant. And the scenes themselves are shimmering set-pieces that unfold like diamonds in the rough being slit to gem-stone perfection.
After experiencing this unblinking watch attend at the waste of the 60s in a London suburb where a tenuous friendship, high expectations and unfulfilled dreams collide during a disastrous weekend getaway, you too will laugh when you next hear the opening riffs of Jimmy Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child.” And you will understand when someone blurts out in a restaurant, “We want the finest wines available to humanity. We want them here and we want them NOW!. And cake.”
This unusual Criterion widescreen version is tidy and lively and there’s a too-short bonus interview with Robinson, Brown, Grant and McGann.
You must trust me on this one, so factual now, find on line and order this astounding movie. It’s one to hold and survey at least once a month. It will keep everything in the superior perspective and cure what ails you. Highest recommendation.
Criterion has done a unbelievable job with this DVD release of WITHNAIL & I. The characterize looks appealing, the sound is distinct, and the extras are a lot of fun. The biggest contrast for me was that the only video version of this film I owned was the full-screen version that contains numerous edits. Watching this film uncut for the first time in years really pointed out how distinguished I had been missing with the video version. Getting this DVD is definitely worth the money.
Buy,Download, Or Stream Withnail and I – Criterion Collection! Click Here
The film itself is a joy to experience. While the location cannot be accused of being overcomplicated, this simplicity is more than made up for in the amazing characters and smart dialogue (virtually none of which can be quoted in an all-ages forum such as this) . Loosely narrated by Paul McGann’s “I” character, this film depicts a brief period in the life of two struggling actors as they attempt to obtain booze, drugs and jobs in the dying days of the 1960s. The movie covers a wide spectrum from some scenes featuring the funniest lines that you’ll ever hear to dinky touching moments that are surprisingly attractive. This is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys splendid moviemaking.
Every character in the represent is superbly acted and written for. It’s a testament to Bruce Robinson’s directing skills that the characters compliment each other so well instead of clashing and overbearing the others as could so easily have happened. The secondary characters work as well as the leads and each one adds their fresh flavour to the mixture. Robinson doesn’t get the mistake of giving the smaller parts too considerable on-screen time and having them overstay their welcome. Each character says and does no more than they need to and leaves everyone wanting more.
Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann are perfectly cast in their roles. Each bile-covered insult roles off of Grant’s tongue as if he’d been swearing at McGann all his life. It’s unbelievable that Grant is a teetotaler in sincere life and was relying on pure skill for most of his inspiration. Capable acting.
Buy,Download, Or Stream Withnail and I – Criterion Collection! Click Here
The documentary that is included on the DVD is 30 minutes long and quite fine. There are interviews with Richard E. Grant (Withnail), Paul McGann (…& I), Bruce Robinson (writer/director), Ralph Brown (Danny) and a host of other people related to the production. It’s a silly and enchanting recognize at the people and ideas slack the film. Unprejudiced fast-forward through the trainspotters.
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simply white colgate
