Bruce Robinson's first film, the openly autobiographical Withnail and I (1987),has spawned a rich mythology that often blurs the line between fact and fiction. However, the facts surrounding his early career appear to be as follows: Robinson was trained as an actor at London's prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama, where he received a solid foundation in the craft.
His early acting endeavors were marked by a promising start, with a reasonably prominent role as Benvolio in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet (1968). This was followed by additional parts in notable films, such as Ken Russell's The Music Lovers (1971) and François Truffaut's The Story of Adele H (1975). Despite these opportunities, Robinson found that acting largely consisted of waiting for the phone to ring, punctuated by the occasional TV commercial, while struggling to make ends meet.
In response to this uncertainty, Robinson turned to writing screenplays in the mid-1970s. His big break came when he secured the patronage of producer David Puttnam, who brought his script about Cambodia, The Killing Fields (1984),to life. This critically acclaimed film earned Robinson an Oscar nomination, solidifying his reputation as a talented writer.
However, it was his subsequent film, the cult classic Withnail and I (1987),that truly cemented his status as a visionary director. This film, about the squalid lives of two unemployed actors, resonated with students worldwide and catapulted newcomer Richard E. Grant to stardom. Robinson's subsequent directorial efforts, including the advertising satire How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989) and the serial-killer thriller Jennifer 8 (1992),while not as iconic as his debut, demonstrate his unwavering intelligence and flair for storytelling, making him an artist worth following.
