These two cult comedies have often been grouped together by people I've talked to. I guess there's a similar tone to each film, with complex plots that amount to fuck-all. I'm giving it to Withnail and I by a nose because I think Monty's dialogue seals it.

Two films I've never seen the fuss over and yes, I'd pair them together too, given their acolytes.

TBL is fun as shit. I loved it the first time and every other time I have watched it. It repays repeated viewings for me on account of the design. They sketched out an entire ridiculous fantasy world, complete with over the top plot and so on. Good stuff.

WAI I watched in Australia the first time, and I absolutely could not have cared less about it. A few funny moments, but whatever. But then I saw it in England after living there for a couple of years, and I thought well fuck me if this is not one of the most closely observed, delicately articulated, and wonderfully funny films that I have ever seen in my life. I repays repeated viewings for me because its world is so layered that I find new things in it every single time. WAI is a masterpiece. I love this movie with all of my heart. It is a kind, gentle thing that invites you in and makes you a part if its world by sharing itself with you.

WAI all the way.

I love both films - got both on DVD - but I give the edge to Lebowski, in part b/c it's hard to understand some of the dialogue in WAI without turning on the subtitles.

Also, I've used the "it tied the room together" line more than once in my daily life.

zircona1 wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 8:30 am I love both films - got both on DVD - but I give the edge to Lebowski, in part b/c it's hard to understand some of the dialogue in WAI without turning on the subtitles.

Also, I've used the "it tied the room together" line more than once in my daily life.

"Careful man, there's a beverage here."
"The royal we...you know...the editorial..."
"New shit has come to light."
"...in the parlance of our times..."

The limo scene. So good.

All fairly regularly used. I need to see WAI again. Will do soon.

TBL is a collection of awesome scenes. I saw it in the theater back in '98, and was an instant convert.

W&I has a poignancy running through it that I've primarily found in Japanese cinema, though.

I don't get The Big Lebowski. The last time I watched it was my third and final attempt. It was during the tail-end of the T&G Anniversary shows and I had a bunch of friends staying with me for the weekend. Someone suggested we watch it, and against my better judgement I agreed. What a boring way to end that weekend. Never seen the other one, but it has to be better than TBL.

EDIT: clicked the farmhands quote because I have absolutely no idea what's going on.

TBL is a more fun thing to catch on TV and watch a bit of, but W&I is a better movie. It has depth that TBL avoids at all costs and I think the depression overtones make the funny bits stand out more. Kinda mean more. TBL is just like a lifelike cartoon.

Weird TD that kinda makes sense. W&I

rsmurphy wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 2:34 pm EDIT: clicked the farmhands quote because I have absolutely no idea what's going on.

It's a quote from Uncle Monty. My favorite scene is where Marwood enters the cottage and asks Withnail where Monty is, and he responds that he's outside pouting. Monty then enters from just outside the frame, and proceeds to reprimand Marwood. That still cracks me up every time.

TBL is fun, yeah. Lots of nice touches. I particularly liked the way he kept compulsively poking his finger in the hole in the shoe award, for some reason. I don't know why that stuck with me. I thought it was funny.

But it is pretty shallow, huh. Well-made, amusing fantasy fluff.

Withnail on the other hand, hits truer and deeper. Withnail does not abide. Withnail is fucked. He's preternaturally gifted but he can't function. His talents are destined to be squandered, he's self-destructing. It's an everyday tragedy. Anyone who's lived through their 20s has probably known some Withnails and the film captures the moment where it stops being funny and starts being sad. Richard E Grant smashes it. Debut role.