63 - Films I’ve watched: Withnail and I

Withnail and I is, apparently, a quintessential piece of British comedy. Released in 1986, this Bruce Robinson directed black comedy has become a huge cult hit.

Withinail (Richard E. Grant) and I (the unnamed protagonist, played by Paul McGann) are unsuccessful actors in 1969 Camden. Bored of London and not getting any new jobs, they go off to the English countryside for a holiday - except the getaway isn’t as relaxing as expected.

Due to the largely autobiographical nature of the film, along with the copious amounts of alcohol consumed, it feels a bit like a British version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but with farmers and rain instead of neon and sand. Oh, and it’s far more coherent.

Other times it feels like the darkest possible episode of Father Ted, like that episode where they go on holiday in a cramped caravan, but ten times more terrifying - with murderous farmers and the advances of a fat, gay uncle. Depressing too, with newspaper-bundled wellies and soggy, muddy mornings.

Like most unconventional comedies, Withnail works best when you catch a quote on a website and it makes you laugh uncontrollable amounts. What gave a snide smile during the film now gives whoops of laughter in retrospect. My favourite is Withnail trying to slither out of a confrontation, “I have a heart condition; if you hit me, it’s murder”. Something about that gets me everytime.

There’s also a drinking game associated with it - essentially copying the on screen characters drink for drink (including a bottle of lighter fluid and a giant cannabis joint). You’re probably best off not actually trying it though - it would prove fatal for most, even if you substitute the lighter fluid for vinegar.

I love little stories like that - where Robinson put vinegar in the lighter fluid container without telling Grant, so his look of disgust would seem more real. Like dropping Alan Rickman before the count in Die Hard to get a great look of terror, it just makes me laugh.

Anyway, Withnail and I holds up very well in polls and votes and Top whatevers - always hiding very close to the top of best British and comedy lists. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but its a pretty funny film. If you get a chance, give it a watch.