
"Withnail & I" is a cult British black comedy film centered on two struggling actors, Marwood and Withnail, who live a bohemian yet bleak life in 1969 London. Their attempts to escape their grim reality lead them to a disastrously comedic holiday in the countryside at Withnail's eccentric Uncle Monty's dilapidated estate, where they face the harshness of rural life, eccentric locals, and continuous rain. The film uniquely explores themes of friendship, desperation, and the fading '60s counterculture with sharp wit and dark humor.
Trivia:
1. The screenplay was inspired by the real-life experiences of the writer and star, Bruce Robinson, particularly his time with his friend Vivian MacKerrell, who Withnail's character is based on.
2. The film's famous line "I demand to have some booze!" was improvised by Richard E. Grant, who played Withnail, and has since become an iconic quote in British cinema.
3. The movie was famously shot on a low budget, and despite initial commercial underperformance, it gained cult status through word-of-mouth and home video, becoming a beloved classic over time.