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Withnail & I
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
British cult classic about two alcoholics; much profanity.

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Withnail & I
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What's the Story?
WITHNAIL & I is set in 1969, in the filthy London abode of two unemployed actors, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and Marwood (Paul McGann). Disgusted by the squalor that surrounds them, they decide to go on a holiday to the countryside, courtesy of Withnail's eccentric uncle, Monty (Richard Griffiths). Though it seems no matter where they go, they can't escape the overwhelming sense of bleak desperation.
Is It Any Good?
This is a cult classic, the sort of movie you could recite over and over, and it has garnered this adoration and status for a reason; it's just brilliant cinema. The blend of comedy with pity and sadness is so expertly crafted, Withnail & I has some of the most iconic one-liners in British film history. Yet it is enriched by the profound sadness of the characters that inhabit this desolate landscape. Set in 1969, it's a damning social study of England with kitchen-sink realism.
The two central performances are just striking too, as both Grant and McGann bring so much vulnerability and nuance to these two hopeless alcoholics. The supporting cast more than do their bit, helped along by being so well-written by writer/director Bruce Robinson, who brings out hilarious turns by Griffiths as Uncle Monty and Ralph Brown as the drug-dealing Danny. It's worth noting that the film is dated in some regards, the discriminatory slurs in particular. But the movie excels in its now-notorious one-liners. Lines such as "we demand the finest wines known to humanity" and "we've gone on holiday by mistake" have become nearly as integral a part of British culture as a cup of tea.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Withnail & I depicts drinking. Why do Withnail and Marwood drink so much? What are the results of their drinking? What consequences do they face? Do they seem realistic?
Do you think Withnail and Marwood want help from anyone? How can you help a loved one who might be an alcoholic/addict?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Does it seem necessary or excessive? What does it contribute to the movie? There are some outdated and hurtful racial and homophobic slurs in the movie. Discuss how language evolves and why this is important.
The movie is considered by many to to be a cult classic. What do you think makes a film be considered this way? Do you have a favorite movie that might be considered a cult classic?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 19, 1987
- On DVD or streaming: October 10, 2005
- Cast: Richard E. Grant , Paul McGann , Richard Griffiths
- Director: Bruce Robinson
- Studio: Handmade Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship , Holidays
- Run time: 107 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: August 24, 2022
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