Bruce Robinson

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Bruce Robinson (born 2 May 1946(1946-05-02)) is an English director, screenwriter, novelist and actor. He is arguably most famous for his work on the cult classic Withnail and I, a film with comic and tragic elements, set in London during the 1960s.

As an actor, he has worked with the likes of Franco Zeffirelli (on whom he based the character of Uncle Monty in Withnail and I), Ken Russell and François Truffaut. In 1998, he returned to acting with a cameo in the 70s rock rival film Still Crazy.

Robinson currently lives in Herefordshire with his wife, Sophie Windham, and their two children, Lily (b. 1986) and Willoughby (b. 1994).

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Career

Bruce Robinson was born in Broadstairs in Kent. In his youth, Robinson dreamed of being an actor and was admitted to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. His first film role was as Benvolio in Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (1968). He eventually became disenchanted with acting after spending several years out of work and living on social security payments and began writing screenplays. He was soon commissioned by David Puttnam to write the screenplay for The Killing Fields (1984). Robinson was nominated for an Academy Award and won a BAFTA for his work.

However, he is perhaps best known as the creative force behind the film Withnail and I (1987). Loosely autobiographical, he based the film on his time as a struggling out-of-work actor ^[1]. For instance, the character 'Withnail' is reportedly based on his friend, Vivian MacKerrell, whilst the character 'I' (Marwood), on himself. Though unsuccessful at the box office, due to it success on video, it has since been described as "one of Britain's biggest cult films" ^[2]. The film also launched the acting career of Richard E. Grant.

Robinson's next two outings as a director (How to Get Ahead in Advertising, reteaming him with Richard E. Grant and Jennifer Eight, a Hollywood thriller) were not as well received ^[3]. As several other scripts of his were mauled beyond recognition, Robinson become disillusioned with the restrictive film-making of Hollywood and turned his back on directing, though he continued to write ^[4].

However, it has recently been announced that Robinson will return to directing, with an adaptation Hunter S. Thompson's novel The Rum Diary (2008), with the main role being played by Johnny Depp^[5]. With Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins also on board, filming started on March 30^th in Puerto Rico ^[6]. It is set for release in 2010.

Filmography

Directing Credits

• Withnail and I (1987)
• How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
• Jennifer Eight (1992)
• The Rum Diary (2010)

Screen Writing Credits

• The Killing Fields (1984)
• Withnail and I (1987)
• How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
• Fat Man and Little Boy (1989)
• Jennifer Eight (1992)
• Return To Paradise (1998)
• In Dreams (1999)
• The Rum Diary (2010)

Acting Credits

• Baby Love (1968)
• Romeo and Juliet (1968)
• The Other People (1968)
• Tam Lin (1970)
• The Music Lovers (1970)
• Private Road (1971)
• The Story of Adele H. (1975)
• Kleinhoff Hotel (1977)
• The Brute (1977)
• Harry's War (1981)
• How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
• Still Crazy (1998)

Bibliography

Robinson is also a successful author. His first published works was the semi-autobiographical novel, The Peculiar Memories Of Thomas Penman in 1998. In 2000, Smoking In Bed: Conversations With Bruce Robinson, edited by Alistair Owen, was published, made up of a selection of interviews given by Robinson. Meanwhile, since becoming a father, Robinson has also written two children's books, The Obvious Elephant (2000) and Harold and The Duck (2005), both illustrated by his wife. The former is also available as an audiobook edition (2003), read by Lorelei King and Michael Maloney.

• Withnail and I (1987, Currently Unpublished)
• Paranoia in the Launderette (1998)
• The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman (1998)
• The Obvious Elephant (2000)
• Harold and The Duck (2005)

References

External links

• Bruce Robinson at the Internet Movie Database
• Bruce Robinson biography and credits at the British Film Institute's Screenonline
• http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/feature/7434/1