Withnail and I
Doors: 7.15pm • Introduction: 7.45pm • Film: 8.00pm
UK • 1987 • Comedy/Indie • 1h 47m •15
Introduced by actor, writer & comedian Neil Mullarkey
Step into the rain-soaked, wine-fuelled world of Withnail and I, Bruce Robinson’s cult British classic that has become one of the most quotable films in modern cinema. Blending razor-sharp wit with melancholy and absurdity, the film captures the fading embers of the 1960s through the misadventures of two out-of-work actors clinging to dreams of grandeur.
At its centre is Withnail, played with flamboyant brilliance by Richard E. Grant in a career-defining performance. Opposite him is his anxious and unnamed flatmate, known simply as “I”, portrayed by Paul McGann. Desperate to escape their squalid Camden flat, the pair retreat to the countryside for what they hope will be a restorative holiday. Instead, they encounter hostility, hunger and the creeping realisation that time and circumstance are not on their side. A memorable supporting turn from Richard Griffiths as the exuberant Uncle Monty only adds to the film’s chaotic charm.
By turns hilarious and quietly poignant, Withnail and I is more than a comedy. It is a sharply observed portrait of friendship, failure and the end of an era, delivered with unforgettable dialogue and unmistakably British bite.
Tickets
The Film Show often sells out, so please book early.
If you’re unable to buy tickets online, you can purchase them in advance at the Library. Will or Cheuk will be happy to help.
A very limited number of tickets will be available at the Library on the night, first come first served, but availability is not guaranteed.
Please note: tickets are non-refundable, seating is unreserved, and latecomers may not be admitted; their seats may be given to another guest.