Withnail & I (1987)

The critic highlights the enduring appeal of Bruce Robinson's witty script full of quotable lines, calling it a perfect dark comedy that is both hilarious and sad.

Thomas hails the film as a knockout directorial debut full of deliciously witty and sophisticated character comedy. He singles out Richard Griffiths' hilarious turn as the eccentric Uncle Monty for particular praise amid the dark undertow.

The critic praises the film as a cultishly adored comedy and character study centered on two struggling actors in late-1960s London. Grant's boozy, self-pitying Withnail stands out as one of the great tragicomic figures in British comedy, supported by a memorable cast and a tone blending desperation, humor, and lyrical sadness.

The critic praises this re-released 1987 classic as a brilliant comedy whose every line is a quotable joy. He singles out the performances, particularly Richard Griffiths as the florid Uncle Monty, for special mention amid the film's enduring appeal.

The review lauds the film's masterful blend of humour and sadness as a requiem for the 1960s dream, singling out the enduring script and performances, especially Richard E. Grant's.

The critic praises the film's relevance to struggling young artists, highlighting its capture of inertia between education and career, and the sympathetic portrayal of privileged yet failing characters in a meritocratic myth.

The piece examines the film as a sharp critique of baby boomer culture and the failures of the 1960s counterculture. It highlights Robinson’s acerbic worldview and the film’s portrayal of the toxic dynamic between the two protagonists.

Ebert identifies strongly with the film's accurate portrayal of heavy drinking and its characters' squalid lives. He singles out Richard E. Grant's tour-de-force performance as Withnail for its intensity and fidelity.

Robinson’s cult comedy is lauded as a burnt-out ode to 1960s bohemian squalor and a stoner bromance that captures the era’s disillusionment with acidic wit and conviction. The review singles out the film’s idiosyncratic long takes and the compelling dynamic between the leads for balancing black comedy and pathos.

Canby calls the film a small, wise, breezy footnote to the 1960s that contemplates the bilious aftermath of the era. He praises its specific characters, incidents, and genuinely funny dialogue while noting it is about growing up almost by accident.

The review describes the film as about the end of an era, portraying the seedy demise of the hippie period with comic gems. It praises the brutal and clever humor and uniformly excellent acting.

The critic is baffled by the film's cult reputation, finding it a slight and meandering tale despite praising Richard E. Grant's performance.

The critic calls the film a proven classic with universal resonance that transcends its status as the ultimate student film. They single out its quotable humor and bittersweet snapshot of late-1960s disillusionment for praise.

The critic calls the 2007 re-release a chance to appreciate the film's quotable script, strong performances, and cinematography on the big screen, singling out Richard E. Grant's comic acting as a masterpiece while noting the blend of hilarity and underlying melancholy.