by Anthony Nield
Since its belated theatrical
release in early 1988, Withnail & I
has slowly but surely attracted an ever-increasing amount of ink. In fact, if
you ever feel the need to trace the steadily-growing popularity and appeal of
the film, then a quick scan of the key texts does a fine job. Initially there
were the reviews, and a mixed bag at that; the Village Voice describing it as “civilised Cheech and Chong”. And
then, nothing. Or rather, the words being spoken about the film were
word-of-mouth and not to be found in print. It was only when a new magazine and
a new audience – loaded and the ‘new
lad’ of the mid-nineties – emerged that some recognition in a popular
publication arrived. Appearing in May 1994, in the very first issue, James
Brown’s article, ‘The Biggest Cult Video in Britain?’, became the first to
identify the growing student audience for the film, as well as laying out the
rules for the now-infamous drinking game.
