Withnail and I

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Withnail and I

R

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1h 42m

Comedy

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84%

Tomatometer

87 Reviews

93%

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25,000+ Ratings

Two out-of-work actors -- the anxious, luckless Marwood (Paul McGann) and his acerbic, alcoholic friend, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) -- spend their days drifting between their squalid flat, the unemployment office and the pub. When they take a holiday "by mistake" at the country house of Withnail's flamboyantly gay uncle, Monty (Richard Griffiths), they encounter the unpleasant side of the English countryside: tedium, terrifying locals and torrential rain.

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Critics Consensus

Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann prove irresistibly hilarious as two misanthropic slackers in Withnail and I, a biting examination of artists living on the fringes of prosperity and good taste.

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Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

In many ways Bruce Robinson's Withnail and I is what the great and good British film industry is all about. It is an eccentric, intimate and well-written independent production that would never have seen the light of day in Hollywood.

Apr 4, 2025

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

There is a certain kind of movie that gets praised not so much because of its virtues as because, in some strange way, we suspect that no one would ever dare make its like again. Withnail and I is one of those enterprises.

Apr 4, 2025

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Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

If the film belongs to anyone, it is Richard E. Grant, who takes the dissolute and mannered character of Withnail and creates a Wildean creature of tragi-comic proportions, the like of which has not been seen in a British film for some time.

Apr 4, 2025

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Bradley Gibson

Film Threat

The film can be enjoyed on many levels, including getting just interplanetary on your favorite substance and waiting for the plethora of quotable lines.

Rated: 10/10

Jun 5, 2025

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Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

It’s truly a cult classic and one of the best films from Bruce Robinson, a director who has made far too little during his filmmaking career.

May 24, 2025

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Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Every frame of "Withnail" excretes authenticity.

Rated: 5/5

May 15, 2025

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Kevin L

Pfft...another overrated, overhyped hipster flick. The Criterion Closet crew are rife with the likes of this lot. Sure, it was fine. But I'm not stewin' in my Wellingtons over it. Some prat & his mate lush it up in the countryside and in their hovel, hustling to avoid, the landlord, coppers, and ol' uncle randy pants Monty. And enough w/ the damn rain already. The Danny actor was three types of annoying. And s/one needs to shut up Presumin' Ed from his globe-spinning tantra. Nice littler soliloquy at the end, however. 3 stars

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

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Audience Member

"We've gone on holiday by mistake" sums it (life) all up.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Stephen C

LOL, 1 hour and 42 minutes of comedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $27,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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Riley H

One of the all time best films about counter culture, alcoholism, friendship, homophobia, and the lengths you will go to pursue anything. Richard Grant is brilliant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Evan M

A terrifyingly good movie. Brilliantly scripted and superbly acted - this is a must watch for any University Student. It's become a cult classic in recent years and it holds the dubious accolade of being the only movie I have worn out the VHS tape playing to the point of needing to buy it again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

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Audience Member

Top-notch film. An absolute riot. From an era where cinema was theatre brought to screen. Wonderfully acted tale of two young struggling actors wasting away in downtown London in the 1960s who seek solace in the English countryside and find themselves befuddled and inspired by the struggles and adventures of rural life. Full of humor, intelligent and witty dialogue, and whimsical wonder.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Bruce Robinson

Director

Richard E. Grant

Withnail

Paul McGann

Peter Marwood

Richard Griffiths

Monty

Ralph Brown

Danny

Michael Elphick

Jake

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Synopsis

Two out-of-work actors -- the anxious, luckless Marwood (Paul McGann) and his acerbic, alcoholic friend, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) -- spend their days drifting between their squalid flat, the unemployment office and the pub. When they take a holiday "by mistake" at the country house of Withnail's flamboyantly gay uncle, Monty (Richard Griffiths), they encounter the unpleasant side of the English countryside: tedium, terrifying locals and torrential rain.

Director: Bruce Robinson
Producer: Paul M. Heller
Screenwriter: Bruce Robinson
Production Co: Cineplex-Odeon Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.0K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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