MOVIE OF THE MOMENT

WITHNAIL AND I (1986)
Directed by: Bruce Robinson
Rated: R
Runtime: 107 min


     I've drank a lot of alcohol in my years and I've seen a lot of movies too, and without question or comparison the film "Withnail and I" is the best...and I mean the best drinking movie ever made. It's #1 without a doubt and to see my other all-time favorite drinking movies just click HERE. 

Out of booze? Drink lighter fluid.

     The film is set at the end of the '60's in a crappy part of London called Camden Town where two out of work actors are trying (not too hard) to find meaning in their lives. The plot basically revolves around the two main characters from the title doing whatever they can to secure another drink, whether its selling out your friend for sexual favors from a homosexual uncle or taking advantage of a drunk war veteran bartender. There's a lot going on here and it'll easily take at least 2 - 3 viewings before you take it all in. In fact for the normal "sober" viewer the first 20 minutes of this film will probably make absolutely no sense at all. I confess, the first time I saw Withnail's opening kitchen scene I was like "What the fuck is going on? This movie is totally ridiculous." But what's great about this film is that it just presents these crazy situations to the viewer without having to spell it out for them. It's almost like you're the third roommate in the most insane apartment in London. 


Buy new boots or go get drunk? Stupid question!

     The film eventually makes its way out to the English countryside but "Withnail" (played by Richard E. Grant in the best drunk performance ever) and "I" (played by Paul McGann, and who's character is supposedly named Marwood) have no intention of slowing down their alcohol fueled binge. However, like every great bender the glass or the bottle eventually runs dry and as much fun and mayhem that "Withnail and I" provides the ending of the film is really kind of sad. But sad in a very powerful and moving way, where Grant's character finally comes to terms with who he is and how the world sees him. 

5 Camberwell Carrots out of 5

     In fact the final scene of "Withnail and I" even inspired me to make my own short film as kind of a tribute to it. But please definitely check out "Withnail and I" before clicking below. And by no means am I trying to say I can hold a pint to the original star of one of my favorite movies of all-time.

EMPTY SPACES: A TRIBUTE TO "WITHNAIL AND I"