Withnail And I (Full Movie Reaction)

I'm glad you did this one, watching it along with you it seems like you enjoyed it! As others have said, it definitely gets better (and funnier) with repeat viewings. And as you said, you feel a range of emotions watching this. So many hilarious moments, but you feel sad for Withnail at the end even if he is a pretty terrible human. He's an aging alcoholic and he's not getting any work, meanwhile the other guy finally gets an acting job, moves out of their flat, and moves on with his life

Rory Elliott

Absolutely. I always end up crying. It's so perfectly performed it just breaks your heart doesn't it? The juxtaposition between the power of Withnail's soliloquy and Monty's "He shall never play the Dane" speech is incredible. Have you seen photos of the real Withnail? He was so handsome! He died really young. It's such a tragic story.

Elizabeth Cushway

Always loved Withnail's Hamlet soliloquy at the end. It shows what a great actor Withnail could have been if he could ever have got his life in order and ditched the drink (he's clearly an alcoholic) and that without Paul McGann's character in his life he's probably just going to spiral even further down. There's a theory that Withnail has secretly been in love with the I character (I think he's called Marwood?) for the whole film. That final scene always hits hard with me.

David Mannion

Please don't swear at me lol

Charlie Costa

Great shout on Fever Pitch, you must be an Arsenal fan!

JR

I know you're not adding any new films to the list at the moment, but may I suggest The Crying Game. It is a bit different than the usual films that are suggested, but I think it is an interesting film. It has Forest Whitaker and Stephen Rea in it and takes place during the war in Northern Ireland.

Hadewijch

Oh dear Mark it seems we had the same life experience back then 😃

Susan Mason

Rock n Rolla To love honour and obey The Kingsmen Secret Service Goodbye Charlie Bright Face (stars damon albarn) Nil by mouth. Rita sue and Bob too. Fever pitch Notting hill The Buisness Human Traffic Young offenders (Irish) The Guard (Irish) This is England The Long Good Friday Kes Dead Man Shoes Scum. Quadraphina How none of these British classics are not on the list is a crime.

Charlie Costa

Just finished it, at the time rent boys i.e male prostitutes would partake in what was called cottaging, which was rent boys doing their business in public toilets, and it was common for one to stand in a shopping bag, so if a policeman looked under the door it looked like one person with some shopping, and when Monty asks if he's a sponge or a stone, well in a homosexual relationship the stone giveth and the sponge receives, if you get me! So much of this film is full of cultural references very much of its time, this certainly isn't a film loved across the board, no family sits down at xmas and enjoys it together, as you could imagine! It was very common in the 90's to play a drinking game as you watch along, drinking as they drink, you'd get pretty smashed!

Mark Jones

I have one thing to add.........."Scrubbers!!!!!!"

Elizabeth Cushway

Perfectly summed up. Plus you know that if you've just met someone and they like Withnail and I you're definitely going to get on with them. It's a good litmus test film❤️

Elizabeth Cushway

This film for my generation (I'm 52) was the greatest 'Cult' British film of the 80's, no competition, I love it today just as much as the first time I watched it when it first came out, I find it hard to describe what the 80's were like in the UK, most people were borderline functioning alcoholics who also took acid/mushrooms, smoked Cannabis resin (weed wasn't very popular in mid 80's UK) and took speed or pink whizz as we called it, that was pretty normal, I was in art college from 1986 and 70% of students regularly used all the above, so this film felt very normal in a way, and these two losers felt quite familiar, just a comically exaggerated essence of life in the era, the film is actually set 18 years prior to it's release date, but essentially the UK never changed an awful lot in that time. Patchouli Oil which he rubbed on his boots was actually quite common at the time, a lot of your alternative crowd burnt incense and used essential oils, Patchouli Oil was actually most commonly used by bikers and people into heavy metal and such, it disguised unwanted body odours quite well e.g. It would stop leather trousers getting stinky.

Mark Jones

You know the scene, you are talking to a new friend or even partner listing your favourite films and music. If they mention this film you both grin and start quoting lines knowing that you both got it and obviously not everyone does. All of the characters have personality flaws you recognise from other people you have known. And you wince at the situations because to some degree no matter how small you have been there (not literally of course 😂) even if it's only the insessent internal monologue. I think in this way it's really similar to a more modern film about uk dance culture called Human Traffic which is another fave of mine. I really appreciate you guys going out there with this film it's not something everyone finds easy to watch. Its also clear watching with you now how differently we now view certain language and behaviour but it is a fairly true reflection of the harsh reality of Britain in this time period. Despite all this you got it! when you said the script was great it is that's why it so quotable. It's brilliantly acted absolutely correct, it pretty much launched both Richard and Paul's careers. And the confused emotions, yes it's difficult viewing at times. From my perspective it's wonderfully melancholic because it's about realising what you have to ditch from your life to be truly happy. Whether that's drink, food or even a wonderfully charismatic but destructive friend. .

Susan Mason

I'm in total agreement... I've never understood it's cult following... Not for me.

BigChanChan

im only a few mins into this, and it feels like an 80s british version of Fear and Loathing in Las vegas!

OK so I confess I didn't watch the whole reaction, I skipped to the end as I was interested to hear both of your thoughts. The reason being that I am not a fan of this movie but I have been made to sit through it by some friends who all insisted I would love it and that it was a classic! I didn't hate it, there were moments that amused me but on the whole I found it - dare I say - boring. I am sure I will be in the minority here though as a lot of people I know find it hilarious and obviously it won your poll 😂

ZedMC

Firstly I feel like we should have told you it's a dark comedy/drama so it's ok to laugh at it. Boys you're absolutely right about repeat viewings, it gets better and funnier everytime you see it. Speaking for myself I stumbled upon Withnail and I in my teens and it made me cry with laughter but also hit some deep part of me because I'd also never seen anything like it before. The humour is SO British. I can't choose a favourite moment from this film because so many shine out. I love the kitchen scene, I love the lighter fluid scene, I love the whole Old Mother Black Cap bit, when Withnail says "Give me a tenner and I'll give him a call" I die every time also when they're talking at crossed purposes about ringing Monty it's so stupid. Paul McGann's expressions are incredible, that rictus grin around Monty🙌🏻. How Richard.E.Grant plays such a good drunk when he's teetotal is beyond me although they did put vodka in the lighter fluid bottle without telling him so his reaction would be more authentic 🤣 Uncle Monty just has me in pieces, Richard Griffiths took that part and ran with it. The "Here, hare, here" bit leaves me weak. I love it when and I is laughing in his sleep and when Withnail calls Monty a terrible cunt. Danny is just spectacular throughout. Mike Myers revived the character for Wayne's World 2 which was a weird crossover. As far as I'm concerned it's a perfect gem of a film. Every single thing about it works.

Elizabeth Cushway