In its first 15 minutes I half expected Withnail & I, Bruce Robinson’s
semi-autobiographical tale of two unemployed actors boozing it up in the
English countryside, to become a Beckett-influenced sojourn into existential
trappings. While the two titular characters wallow in misery in their wretched
London flat it begins to feel like two souls trapped in an endless loop. A
little more happens than a bit of Waiting
for Godot.
This was Richard E. Grant’s film debut playing Withnail
and here he perfected his signature sneer, off-hand sarcastic remarks, and
general temperament of displeasure with everything. His friend, flatmate and
fellow struggling actor’s name is never spoken, although Marwood can be seen on
an envelope. Played by Paul McGann he is no less a brooding personality than
Withnail, although he is more replete with angst and a general queasiness about
everything.
