Quirky Cult British Film - Withnail and I
Bruce Robinson's Comic Caper - Chock Full of Quotable Lines
Jul 30, 2008
Bruce Robinson is not exactly a prolific director, but with his debut feature film Withnail and I, he has carved himself a unique place in British cinematic history. Withnail and I has generated legions of fans thanks to its ironic and off the wall humour, unerringly pessimistic world view and its memorable and ultra quotable dialogue.
It goes without saying that Richard E Grant, who plays Withnail, gets the lions share of funny lines. Paul McGann as the titular 'I' character Marwood has some fabulous acerbic interactions with Withnail, but the famous lines all belong to Grant's character.
Famous and oft repeated lines include:
- “We've gone on holiday by mistake.”
- “I must have some booze, I demand to have some booze!”
- “We want the finest wines available to humanity. We want them here and we want them now.”
- “I have a heart condition. If you hit me it's murder.”
- “I must say, that represents a level of hypocrisy in you that I'd previously suspected, but not noticed due to your highly evasive skills."
The Inspiration Behind Withnail and I
Withnail and I is a semi-autobiograhical film, based on Robinson's own experiences as a jobbing actor in the sixties. The level of realism he injects into the story of two out of work (or 'resting' as Withnail insists) actors, on a weekend away in the country, is therefore spot on. Robinson's initial intention was to write a novel based on his time smoking, drinking and endlessly pursuing acting work. His friends loved the stories so much they encouraged him to turn it into a screenplay.
The film was not a huge success on its first release in 1987, but it built a cult audience of loyal fans over the years, leading to a re-release in 1996.
Withnail and I is peppered by a cast of quirky characters, such as the terrible old lech' Uncle Monty, played to dreadful perfection by British thesp' Richard Griffiths, and the gamekeeper Jake, played by the late actor Michael Elphick, an old friend of Bruce Robinson's (they were at London's Central School of Speech and Drama together). The leads Richard E Grant and Paul McGann - both big names now, practically unknown at the time of making Withnail - turn in career defining performances too.
The Lighter Fluid Scene and Withnail Drinking Game
Grant is actually teetotal, but that didn't stop him playing one of the most memorable drunkards ever to grace the screen. Withnail is almost permanently sozzled, but in the depths of his poverty stricken, work free malaise, decent booze isn't always available. That's why, in one gut wrenching scene, he resorts to swigging lighter fluid. This infamous scene was reputed to have employed vinegar as the actual liquid Grant pours down his throat, hence the unmistakable grimace of an actor who is experiencing a very real and disgusting taste. For anyone playing the Withnail and I drinking game, where the aim is to match Withnail drink for drink, it is generally advised to skip this scene!
The Rum Diary with Johnny Depp
Bruce Robinson is an accomplished writer and actor, but as a director he has only made 3 films
- Withnail and I (1987)
- How To Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
- Jennifer 8 (1992)
However, Robinson is currently hard at work on a dream project – The Rum Diary. This film will see Johnny Depp revive his role as Gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson, and is scheduled for a 2009 release. Watch this space for further news on this exciting film, as and when it becomes available.
Further Reading: British Cinema Today and Quirky Foreign Films
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