Richard E. Grant brightens fans' isolation time with 'Withnail and I' quotes

Richard E. Grant has been charming fans on Twitter with a series of videos quoting lines from 1980s cult classic movie Withnail & I.

The 62-year-old star made his big screen debut as the titular out-of-work actor in the black comedy, written and directed by Bruce Robinson.

Grant wrote to his 200,000 followers that the Withnail script is “the only one I’ve ever learnt that has permanently lodged itself in my memory” — even more than 30 years on.

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He has posted around half a dozen clips of him performing many of the most memorable lines from the movie, often following the delivery with a chuckle and a word of praise for Robinson.

In one clip, Grant delivers the famous line “we want the finest wines available to humanity — we want them here and we want them now”, adding: “Where does he come up with these lines? Genius!”

Released in 1987, Withnail & I also stars Paul McGann and the late Richard Griffiths.

It follows the eponymous duo of actors as they escape to a secluded holiday cottage in order to distract themselves from their faltering careers.

While the film did not make a big box office impact on release, it frequently appears in lists of the best comedies ever made, as well as the best British films of all time.

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Grant has recently been seen in several major roles, both as Allegiant General Pryde in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and in true crime drama Can You Ever Forgive Me? alongside Melissa McCarthy.

The star’s charming personality while campaigning for an Oscar for the latter movie earned him his own cult appeal online.