Rating: NR
Genre:
Comedy
Theatrical Release: 06/19/1987(USA)
Release Date: 07/10/2001
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: 1
Run Time: 108 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language
Distributor/Studio: Criterion
Screenwriter
Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British
comedy.
Withnail (
Richard E. Grant) is an unsuccessful, pill-popping actor; "I," or
Marwood (
Paul McGann), is
Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969:
Withnail is fast becoming a burned-out relic of the '60s, while
Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves, but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue, one shouldn't be surprised that
Bruce Robinson (who adapted the film from his own novel) based
Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed-up in Britain as they were in America.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
