1987
Directed by Bruce Robinson
I apologize if I totally spaz out during this review, as I get quite excited about films set in England. Some of the scenes take place in Regent's Park which was about a five minute walk from my flat when I lived in London. This made an otherwise rather dull film quite enjoyable.
Two young actors live together in Camden Town. Withnail is an eccentric, all around weirdo while the other, unnamed man is more level headed. They arrange to stay at Withnail's uncle's cottage in Penrith. Withnail's uncle is constantly hitting on...I?
Okay, maybe "dull" wasn't the right word, as I did enjoy watching these characters. Admittedly, not a lot happens but the big personalities in the film make up for it. It did seem like a story that might work better in print. In fact, it reminded me of several novels where a narrator seems more intent on describing another character's adventures rather than their own (i.e. David Copperfield with James Steerforth or Nick Jenkins with Kenneth Widmerpool).
This really wasn't my kind of humor, but it definitely wasn't the worst comedy in The Book.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Richard Grant said on Twitter than Withnail's first name is Vivian.
This is very, very English and I'm impressed that you were able to enjoy it as much as you did
ReplyDeleteOne of those cult classics that some people swear by but would translate very poorly to foreign cultures
Yeah I can't honestly say I thought it was particularly funny, but I am obsessed with all things English, so I was still delighted.
DeleteHave you not seen this before Amanda? I rather assumed you had, hence comments I made about Penrith when I was trying to tempt you to come visit when you were last in the UK.
ReplyDeleteIf you had come up, you would have got a train from London to Penrith and got a bus from there to where I live .. But the Penrith Tea rooms do not exit.
So a film with decided local connections for me..
A great film with magnificent characters.. One that bears repeated watching by myself. Slightly disappointed you only gave it a three, but it is perhaps one that appeals to older people.. It is mostly about times changing and struggling to adapt to new times, passing eras.
PS .. my favoured 'Interesting facts' bit of trivia.. Richard grant, who plays one the most realistic portrayals of a sad pathetic drunk is in fact TT.
ReplyDeleteI had seen it before, but it didn't make of an impression the first time. I wouldn't have remembered that it was Penrith. I wish I could have made it up there, but the time I could go was when all the floods hit! That's weird about Richard Grant! Did he at least drink in preparation for the role?
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