Richard E. Grant’s Closet Picks

The Oscar-nominated veteran bagged a few favorite movies-and delivered some spot-on impressions of Jeanne Moreau and Dustin Hoffman while he’s at it.
Here are his choices:
- CITY LIGHTS
- NASHVILLE
- HAMLET
- CRIES AND WHISPERS
- LA STRADA
- THE TIN DRUM
- THE GRADUATE
- DAY FOR NIGHT
- THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN
- JULES AND JIM
- SOME LIKE IT HOT
Shop Richard's Closet Picks:
www.criterion....

[@thetramp123]

"I feel like a thief in the night." *leaves like a thief in the night. Love him, he's just wonderful.

[@colinr0380]

"I demand to have you, even if it must be burglary!"

[@lusotuber]

The way he's putting them in the bag makes it look like he's robbing the place.

[@NickOwens]

Like a thief in the night.

[@moeshickenyay]

Exactly.

[@johnta17]

the dude walked out with two bags worth, did you see that at the end?

[@cl759]

More like a true aficionado delighted to be let loose in there!! Live a little, ffs!

[@XercesandAlexander]

@@johnta17 well done, I say

[@formervehemence]

"Oh, Ingmar Bergman suffering away... myeah, I love that."

[@majorhobo]

My only complaint is that it wasn't 20 minutes long.

[@petersonj198]

Hell ya

[@majorhobo]

@Mohd Amerul Aidil Wouldn't you?

[@MarthaGarvey]

He is so adorable. And that ending is perfect.

[@henryfeil5616]

Yeah we know he was in there at least a half an hour.

[@waynej2608]

@Texas Chainsaw Jesus That was an awesome film, among the best of the 80s. Imho.

[@rowancrerar1491]

I laughed, I cried, I fistpumped the air!

[@CEWThree]

One of the great things about Grant is that he's no snob. He loves what he loves, be it The Tin Drum or Some Like it Hot or the newest Star Wars. That's the beauty of film.

[@ImGoingToEatYourMolars]

Benny Harvey RIP

[@urmumsbaps]

@@ImGoingToEatYourMolars gone but not forgotten

[@oldskoolordie]

Nothing prepares you for this.

[@ukazap]

GAH

[@SamGaleFilms]

I love how some of the other actors and directors say they don't want to be too greedy and Richard E. Grant just comes in and takes a shelf haha.

[@OddOneOut665]

Forget the Oscars, THIS is the real jackpot here!

[@lukeyznaga7627]

very excellent point, OddOneOut665. Think about it. Respected and great actors, artists and directors regularly on this channel choosing, explaining and picking their best choice for movies they want to see. THIS...is the true oscars. And It makes you and I want to GET THOSE movie videos and see them, doesn't it?

[@ClichéGuevara-2814]

"...isn't that serendipitous?" and it just rolls off his tongue. Lovely.

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *CITY LIGHTS* _dir. Charlie Chaplin_ (1931) 0:09 - *NASHVILLE* _dir. Robert Altman_ (1975) 0:21 - *HAMLET* _dir. Laurence Olivier_ (1948) 0:33 - *CRIES AND WHISPERS* _dir. Ingmar Bergman_ (1972) 0:39 - *LA STRADA* _dir. Federico Fellini_ (1954) 0:44 - *THE TIN DRUM* _dir. Volker Schlöndorff_ (1979) 0:54 - *THE GRADUATE* _dir. Mike Nichols_ (1967) 1:19 - *DAY FOR NIGHT* _dir. François Truffaut_ (1973) 1:25 - *THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT* _dir. Karel Reisz_ (1981) 1:42 - *JULES AND JIM* _dir. François Truffaut_ (1962) 2:13 - *SOME LIKE IT HOT* _dir. Billy Wilder_ (1959)

[@tommylarrys]

La Strada’s English title is La Strada lol

[@PentameronSV]

@@tommylarrys Corrected. Thanks for noticing!

[@highvoltagemedia7150]

The way he says “oh darling, I adore you” fucking killed me. Tears in my eyes

[@astralnight3493]

"We want the finest wines available to humanity, we want them here and we want them now!"

[@vaguehorizons]

We are not drunks, we are multimillionaires!

[@GiacomoJimmi]

We’re going to buy this place, and install a jukebox to liven all you stiffs up a bit!

[@samfilmkid]

I loathe those Russian plays. Nothing but women staring out of windows.

[@phil6025]

I was seeing a girl for a while who I'd worked with at a law firm, who could recite word-for-word the entire script of Withnail & I.

[@GiacomoJimmi]

@@phil6025 That sentence should’ve ended with “. . . so I married her”.

[@moeshickenyay]

That was security footage, he hadn’t actually been invited. Love Richard E. Grant great Actor, How to get ahead in Business superb film, and all his picks were something I might get too.

[@Danthehorse]

Lol yeah it's a bit like that! He is such a card.

[@iamyourblackmailer]

City Lights, Charlie Chaplin Nashville, Robert Altman Hamlet, Laurence Olivier Cries and Whispers, Ingmar Bergman La Strada, Federico Fellini The Tin Drum, Volker Schlöndorff The Graduate, Mike Nicholls Day For Night, François Truffaut The French Lieutenant's Woman, Karel Reisz Jules and Jim, François Truffaut Some Like It Hot, Billy Wilder Edit. Criterion changed their caption since I did this, but forgot to mention the World Cinema Project box set No.2 that Richard E. Grant grabs but doesn't talk about. x

[@there6799]

You are my hero.

[@84paratize]

He also took the World Cinema Project box set (I think it's Vol. 2)

[@thevoid99]

i love that man's taste. he should've won the oscar.

[@lukess.s]

@@thevoid99 no, he shouldn't have. He's a great actor but he was below average in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

[@rentonshill561]

you’re the MVP

[@DaveSimkiss]

What a character! I could listen to his voice all day!

[@the.artists.studio.london7321]

I cannot express how much I love this man. Such a delight.

[@Gabrielcezar94]

He's me if I could go to this closet. He just goes on picking film after film 😂

[@WDESJ3]

"isn't that serendipitous!"

[@sinbysin666]

It wasn't even serindipitous.

[@hildapataki5072]

I realise this was over 5 years ago now but isn't the definition of serendipitous to discover something in a coincidental / fortuitous way? I was sure it was, and Googles reassurance led me to writing this comment to defend Withnail

[@georgebardsley7129]

How can someone be so villainous yet such a happy puppy in real life

[@waynej2608]

It's a credit to his impressive acting ability. Reminds me of the wonderful film noir actor of the '40s/'50s, Dan Duryea. He would play the most despicable characters, yet by most acounts, he was this easy going, likeable family guy.

[@jasperpcaruso]

“No Streisand films. My obsession”. Greatest thing I’ve ever heard!!!

[@omegaaverenger112]

Richard E. Grant is such a sweetheart. I hope Criterion re-releases Withnail & I on Blu-ray!

[@thebossman80s]

영민이 arrow video released it a couple of years ago with a new scan of the negative but to me some of the scenes have way too much grain.

[@omegaaverenger112]

@@thebossman80s Which is why it's up to Criterion to make a better rendition with more bonuses! It'd be cool to bring back members (McGann + Grant) for interviews

[@thebossman80s]

영민이 that’s what I was hoping for, maybe criterion can make a better restoration with a book of photographs from the making of the film

[@ResidentStudios]

He was probably at the Criterion offices to record interviews for a release of something. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Withnail & I.

[@omegaaverenger112]

Jack LeClair it's what the film deserves! Hope Paul McGann was brought in too

[@rumbalala]

Have been re-watching this for years now and it still fills me with pleasure. Mr Richard E Grant exudes joy and a love of film that entertains and lightens my mood every time I see him. Beautiful. And his choices are superb. “Oh darling, I adore you you “. Legend.

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Yes, all the newer comments full of bitchiness and hatred for the man have me perplexed. Did they see the same film I just did did?

[@MatthewGeoffino]

I think the best addition in this video, that I hope stays in all future videos, are the Statler & Waldorf puppets

[@randomrecipes5007]

I love this guy as an actor in anything I've seen him in, and now love him even more, and am not surprised how he gets roles... I'd cast him in a heartbeat just being who he is. I'd be the same way in the closet, thief in the night, and OUT!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! lol

[@waynej2608]

Grant has impeccable taste! I dig that he seeks out Robert Altman, fretting about not finding him, until he finds and snatches up the masterpiece, Nashville. And I agree with all of his picks. Plus, he met Jeanne Moreau!! Wow.

[@vb8428]

I love his love for Altman still lives and his roles in Altman films.

[@TripFontaine1976]

The best Criterion Closet video of them all. I bet he has 100 stories just as entertaining as his Jeanne Moreau anecdote.

[@theicyridge]

Introducing the most likable guy in the world who plays all the most detestable villains.

[@ellenolenska9141]

Love his Jeanne Moreau impression. And about Some Like It Hot, “Billy Wilder’s timeless comic masterpiece.” So true!

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

HE'S SO INCOMPREHENSIBLY CHARMING JESUS CHRIST

[@cl759]

Very casual and pleasant. These videos are better than talk shows and various presentations. Seem more spontaneous.

[@Larkinchance]

Is "Withnail and I" in the Criterion Collection?? Richard Grant's brilliant work!

[@janedougherty5109]

He's the only one who mentioned the titles of films clearly I love him.

[@TechnicJunglist]

I could listen to him speak all day. He has just this calming fantastic energy.

[@defanged9630]

A brilliant actor and an absolute gem of a human being. Such wonderful, genuine passion for life and art, while also entertaining a healthy sense of the absurdity of it all. Enjoy your loot Sir. Thanks for all the laughter and the tears.

[@votemonty1815]

"GLORIOUS PURPOSE!"

[@NoirFan84]

"Have you got any Altman films?" A man after my own heart. 👌😊

[@williamshaw9047]

He appeared in two of them: The Player and Pret-a-Porter.

[@davidjames579]

@@williamshaw9047 Three. Gosford Park as well.

[@williamshaw9047]

I forgot; he was also in Gosford Park.

[@davidjames579]

@@williamshaw9047 Robert Altman was generous to actors, often bringing them back. It paid off, as only Woody Allen as well can get that insane amount of names in one film.

[@leomarescotti672]

Glorious purpose!

[@donnywankan6895]

I've just watched several of these, and I noticed every other one picked La Strada, and I can't recommend that movie enough. I'm glad to see it getting so much credit.

[@Cinemactik]

I feel out of breath after that, like a violent sprint. Bravo 👏

[@dougburr4192]

This is the best one yet. Withnail is so charismatic and you can see how much he loves films. He is great at impressions too.

[@65g4]

He was amazing in Can You Ever Forgive Me

[@maxslamer]

1:10 "Anne Bancroft, who was only 8 years older than him (Dustin Hoffman) at the time" cracked me up a bit. She was actually 6 years older. From Mr Hoffman's birth till she passed away so to speak.

[@WhiteLotusOm]

Love Richard Grant, fantastic actor and we need to see more movies with him in them! ♥️🎬

[@faville]

I was thinking just this morning about "Dressed to Kill" and wondering if Criterion had maybe put out an edition, and then ran across this video with it prominently displayed. How serendipitous. I was willing Mr. Grant's hand over to it but I'm not surprised he didn't take it.

[@YouHaveBeenWatchingFilms]

Love Rixhard E Grant, I could listen to him talk about Criterion all day. Genuinely charismatic and charming!

[@DavidBrown-in8hi]

Warlock is one of my faves....made good by Grant's performance

[@sadsackjetsfan1795]

This is the best one I've ever seen. Richard has a ball and I loved it

[@marktuovinen3888]

who else dies a little inside when he grabs dvds instead of blurays 😂

[@csjcsj2906]

5 Blu-rays and 1 DVD of "The French Lieutenant's Woman". The DVD proved the rest wrong.

[@maximumoccupancy]

I don't mind. More for the rest of us.

[@davidjames579]

No Laserdiscs! The man's not a connoisseur.

[@slc2466]

Yes, I noticed he snagged "La Strada"; I lent my copy a few years ago to a colleague, and it's gone- please Criterion, put this one and "Nights of Cabiria" (which I also foolishly lent out) on Blu-ray soon!

[@moeshickenyay]

Both are equally short lived media, give me VHS any day if the week, rugged archival media lasts for decades.

[@stervi2]

Limmy’s impressions are spot on these days

[@Enzophanis1892]

1:19 I think we have all had that moment where you are Blu Ray hunting and spot something you really want that just stops you in your tracks

[@Metzthe1st]

I love people who come in and take everything instead of just taking a few because that is exactly what I would do

[@dotstarss]

Love this man. Glad the world is finally catching up with what most of us lot knew!

[@zaroffhound]

cut to: Grant running wildly across a deserted car park toward a bicycle.

[@churchillosimbo]

This dude is grabbing them like he actually IS a thief in the night! I love this guy

[@rustyshackelford934]

I love how excited he is lol he's like a child in a toy store.

[@metatron1970]

Glad to see he's looking around for Altman's work and finds NASHVILLE. Altman gave him several interesting small roles. PRET-A-PORTER is not one of Altman's best, but Grant gives the funniest performance in the film. .

[@rabd3721]

This guy is such a gentleman, you can't help but adore him.

[@orpheus0108]

Nothing prepares you for this....

[@ianjohnson458]

"Some Like it Hot" is true perfection for comedy lovers. I've seen nothing better.

[@vb8428]

Same here. First saw it in 4k last week

[@TemporaryFamineShip]

Absolutely loved his performance in 'How to Get Ahead in Advertising." So hilarious. Criterion, PLEASE release that on blu ray!

[@johnsailorsgoat]

This delightful man should've won the Oscar this year!

[@kooj22]

“Bang. City Lights. Chaplin”

[@liebertjohann8524]

He is such a sweetheart

[@f.w.2054]

I love this guy! (Withnail & I, The Player) I get so irritated with the artists who are almost apologetic for choosing a few dvds. Love to see Richard taking as many as he wants! With what Criterion charges for their fine products, I'm sure they can afford it!

[@rbdriftin]

I swear if this was me I'd just tip all the shelves into a huge duffel bag.

[@vaguehorizons]

Same

[@djsickmick9890]

I just ansolutely love this man. Watching these skits just makes my Easter. Love the ''Withnail and I'' interview, too. Great to see that movie discussed. Everyone should see it. A towering jewel in film history.

[@DomWrath]

Withnail! The patron saint of the starving actor. Love the genuine glee he exudes.

[@lsjshez6940]

He did it the way we'd all do it.

[@jamesrana2711]

Statler and Waldorf! The best critics you could wish for!

[@magickrist]

“No Streisand films....” I guess that’s a call to upgrade/reissue the THE PRINCE OF TIDES laserdisc on DVD/BD.

[@jakobsanchez738]

How does it feel to correctly predict the future

[@magickrist]

Hah! It was a lucky guess.

[@lyricsfromsweden]

He was my pick for the best supporting actor Oscar.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

If you haven't seen Richard in "Withnail & I" you really need to. It's definitely in the top 100 film portrayals of all time.

[@ejparas8492]

This is still my favorite criterion closet raid in the night 😂

[@MaxGoesFourth]

Just the shot of Richard E. Grant knocking down Waldorf with his bum while browsing Criterion movies alone makes this worthy of a place in the collection.

[@Emma-R]

Omg, I missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. It’s little things like that that make my day.

[@BrendanMacWade]

The most fun man in the biz

[@spiritcreek9813]

Love his choices. Day for Night, La Strada, and a Jean Moreau fan. Forgot to get Funny Girl Mr. Grant!👍

[@lukess.s]

Bang! City Lights, Chaplin. Yah.

[@rnw2739]

I was really hoping the final few seconds of this would see Richard pull out his last DVD choice with much anticipation, then exhale dramatically on spying its cover. A final grave look to camera before announcing with much gravitas and awe: "Finally, ladies and gentlemen, what can one say that hasn't already been said, of the sublime..... the classic..... the unparalleled......the totally undisputed masterpiece that is...... ... 'Holiday On The Buses'..."

[@biancabalazhi2534]

Love this man unconditionally

[@tothelighthouse9843]

Fingers crossed that some day I get an opportunity to kneel in front of Richard E Grant & say "Richard E Grant I'm a huge admirer". 💖

[@cratonorogen9208]

If this had been 9 months later, Rise of Skywalker would have been one of his picks.

[@martinez112820]

"Some like it hot, Comic timeless masterpiece"

[@Oliver-dw8re]

He says timeless

[@martinez112820]

@@Oliver-dw8re I wrote it wrong lol

[@MindbodyMedic]

I really despise celebrity culture but by god I love this man, such a character

[@kolardgreene3096]

"There is is!" *Throws brand new DVD on floor* "Isn't that serendipitous?"

[@TheMoviecritic2010]

This was the best video yet.

[@sonholee5769]

Ran out like a bandit, he did! tell us more sir!

[@bethangriffiths5206]

Richard's like "Yeah, I'll take that and that and that...That and that...and ooh! THAT IS A MUST!"

[@DokterKattenbakvulling]

I love this man, really liked his last movie and Withnail & I remains one of my favourite films ever!

[@chopin65]

What a legend! Thanks for sharing this!

[@s.a.l.1974]

I love the jeanne moreau story "my darling i know you"

[@callum7081]

It’s got to be rise of skywalker, first time I saw that movie I cried I cheered, I fist bumped the air.

[@Theomite]

Still pissed that he didn't stumble across WITHNAIL and then shoot the camera a look when he found it. But the rest is okay.

[@saiashwin26]

"Free to those who can afford it, very expensive to those who can't. "

[@nowitsdarkmovie]

This should be a feature.

[@xxx_donvanvliet_xxx]

I cheered, I shouted, I fist pumped the air!

[@77777aol]

The Tin Drum, The Graduate Jules et Jim - all in my top 21. I'd add Pixote, Kes, La Città del Donna, Tokyo Story . . .[Breaking Away is somewhat memorable as a whimsical, easygoing movie]

[@julz63]

Please please please, can I come over to your place Richard and watch those movies together on your couch? I’ll bring the popcorn 🍿🥰

[@suleimanthemagnificent8985]

AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE IT! GAH!

[@Turbo9987]

Dude is so enthusiastic, it's infectious!

[@paralentor]

Richard E. Grant you know your very own Withnail & I was the first Criterion I ever purchased. You defy time good sir and you were the best character in the latest SW movie. You are the best and always will be!!!

[@doctorthirteen5727]

I love this guy.

[@karllager2214]

"We want the finest wines available to humanity. We want them here and we want them now " witthnail and I could be one of my picks.