This is a terrific movie. Its posh people behaving badly, its the hangover but with characters who are elegant wastrels with a literary education. Now that may not sound like a glowing endorsement but the film is elevated to greatness because of its marvelous script, eminently quotable dialogue, terrific acting, scenarios that place it in the very best traditions of English farce and most of all because of its sincere warmth and touching pathos. It is a very moving film. It is a film about platonic friendship and exquisite, yearnful, unrequited love; a love that remains hidden, even to its owner until the final poignant scenes. The portrayals ring true, it feels authentic, yet it is a paean to nostalgia, to mistimed opportunity and to what might have been. As the OP said, its a gem of a film.
El D, as ever a beautiful ode. Said everything I could and more (and far more fucking eloquently too
)!
Marwood: [Withnail picks up a bottle of lighter fluid] I wouldn't drink that if I was you.
Withnail: Why not?
Marwood: Because I don't advise it. Even the wankers on the site wouldn't drink that, that's worse than meths.
Withnail: Nonsense. This is a far superior drink to meths. The wankers don't drink it because they can't afford it.
[he pours the lighter fluid down his throat. He gags and gasps]
Withnail: Have we got any more?
[Marwood shakes his head]
Withnail: Liar. What's in your toolbox?
Marwood: No, we have nothing. Sit down.
Withnail: Liar. You've got antifreeze.
Marwood: You bloody fool, you should never mix your drinks!
Fucking brilliant from a comedy perspective and fucking heartbreaking come the end!
