38 Years Ago, This British Queer Classic Showed Us Just How Depressing Comedies Can Be

Comedies I love the most are the type of comedies that will punch you in the gut while simultaneously making you laugh. They're the ones that stay in your mind long after the movie ends. They crawl under your skin and nest there, becoming one with you. And if you ask me, that's exactly how films become cult classics.

The comedy we're going to talk about today is as funny and sad as it gets. It's a movie that became a queer classic without ever explicitly showing a queer relationship. That just goes to show you how far subtle and nuanced storytelling can go.

Withnail & I Is One of the Best Feel-Bad Movies of All Times

Withnail & I is a trip. It follows two unemployed actors in London during the late 60s, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and the unnamed I (Paul McGann) as they escape their grimy Camden flat for a holiday in the countryside.

The movie is that perfect storm of misadventures, witty dialogue, and profound loneliness.

As Dante on Letterboxd described it:

“[Withnail & I is] one of the great feel-bad films of all time.”

Having watched it multiple times, I can't think of a better description myself. The thing with Withnail & I is that it sneaks up on you with its sadness. It's a chaotic buddy comedy, sure, but there's this overwhelming sense of melancholy that creeps into every scene. You can't really pin it down until later in the movie, but it's there and you'll feel it.

Richard E. Grant First Ever Movie Became The Accidental Queer Classic

The only character who is openly gay is uncle Monty, who is not the best representation of the community. But it's Withnail and “I” (who's actually named Marwood in the script but never in the film) we should be focusing on. The film never explicitly states anything about the sexuality of its main characters, yet the subtext is rich with queer undertones.

The entire emotional landscape of these two make the movie a fascinating queer story. Their relationship exists in this beautifully ambiguous space that's somehow both intensely intimate and painfully distant at the same time.

The chemistry between Withnail and “I” is electric. They're basically in a relationship without being in a relationship, if you know what I mean. They live together, they drink together, they face their creative failures together, and most importantly, they understand each other in a way that feels deeper than just friendship.

Why You Need Withnail & I in Your Life

Watching Withnail & I today, 38 years later, it still feels incredibly fresh and relevant. Maybe because we're all still trying to figure out our lives, deal with our failures, and navigate those complicated relationships that don't fit into neat little boxes. And sometimes the best way to deal with all that mess is to laugh through the tears.

If you're tired of predictable comedies and crave for something more, Withnail & I is your next essential watch. It's available right now on HBO Max, waiting just for you.