ISP Blog #6: Withnail and I

Withnail and I, by Bruce Robinson, is the hilarious tale of two young men living a penniless existence in Camden Town, London. Marwood, a writer, is living with his friend Withnail. Withnail is a struggling actor who is having difficulty coping with his repeated failure to get a role. Couple that with his melodramatic disposition and his alcoholism and perhaps the best way to describe him would be the first full line in the screenplay, "I have some extremely distressing news. We've just run out of wine. What are we going to do about it?" Both men are fed up with their way of life in London and resolve to go on vacation to, "get away from it all." Withnail's uncle Monty, a fat, effeminate man, lends Withnail his cottage in Wales, and Withnail and Marwood set out in a battered jag, resolving to stay the week. Upon their arrival, however, they discover that they have no idea how to survive on their own, and hilarity ensues.
The thing that I enjoyed most about this screenplay was the characterization. Each of the characters has a distinctive personality that is showcased throughout the screenplay. The conflict and interactions that take place between these different personalities is what keeps the reader interested during Withnail and I. Another strong part of the screenplay is the snappy dialogue between different characters. This witty banter is absolutely hilarious. As a reader, I was so entertained by hurled insults that I couldn't put the screenplay down.
The humour in Withnail and I is a double-edged sword. The humour is primarily British, and is hilarious if you find that type of humour amusing. However, if you do not understand British humour, then the screenplay is filled with lost opportunities. Luckily for me, I am well versed in British humour, having grown up on such shows as Monty Python's Flying Circus and Ab Fab. Overall, Withnail and I is a wonderful misadventure that will keep you entertained for the entire course of the movie. The humour does make it appeal to a somewhat smaller audience, however I encourage you to give it a try anyways. You won't be disappointed.