Movie Review Arthur

Arthur (2011) 

Directed by Jason Winer

Written by Peter Baynham 

Starring Russell Brand, Jennifer Garner, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Nick Nolte 

Release Date April 8th, 2011 

Published April 8th, 2011 

There was no urgent need to remake the 1981 comedy classic "Arthur." The legendary Dudley Moore had brought to the role of millionaire alcoholic Arthur Bach all of the assets that could be brought to it. While, the original did suffer a bit for the abominable sequel "Arthur 2: On the Rocks" that alone doesn't justify attempting a new spin on the original.

Nevertheless, we have an "Arthur" remake in theaters and starring comedian turned actor Russell Brand as the alcoholic, man-child, millionaire Arthur Bach. Brand is well suited for the role being both English, as Dudley Moore was, and having a history of alcohol abuse on which to draw a great deal of inspiration. That doesn't justify the remake but Brand does make it all quite pleasant.

Russell Brand is 'Arthur'

Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) is undoubtedly an overgrown child. When we meet Arthur for the first time he is dressed as Batman and planning to attend a black tie function being put on by his mother, Vivian (Geraldine James), arriving in the Batmobile alongside his driver and friend Bitterman (Luis Guzman), dressed as the Boy Wonder.

If you find this scenario charming then you are just the audience for "Arthur" a comedy that will repeatedly reinforce Russell Brand's man-child qualities through nerd culture signifiers. Later we will see what Arthur says is the original Darth Vader helmet among other pop culture ephemera that Brand's multi-millionaire character obtains throughout the film in order to remind fans of better movies, earning the good feelings by proxy.

A marriage of convenience

Arthur may be 30 years old but he is still cared for by his childhood nanny Hobson (Dame Helen Mirren), something he justifies by referring to her as his best friend. Hobson is supportive but mostly disdainful of Arthur's wasted life of whores and copious amounts of alcohol. Hobson is, for a short time, surprisingly in favor of seeing Arthur marry Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner), a marriage Arthur sorely hopes to avoid.

Arthur has been instructed to marry Susan by his mother or he will be cut off from the family fortune. Susan's father (Nick Nolte) threatens to cut off something else entirely should Arthur not go through with the marriage. Arthur seems headed down the aisle until he meets Naomi (Greta Gerwig) an unlicensed tour guide and aspiring children's book author. They fall for each other immediately but will Arthur give up his fortune for love?

Charming, sarcastic and sugary sweet

Russell Brand charms his way through much of "Arthur" with well timed quips and lighthearted insults. It's a fun and funny performance well matched with Dame Helen Mirren's sturdy and often wearyingly sarcastic Hobson and Greta Gerwig's sugar sweet Naomi. But, these fabulously pleasant performances don't excuse "Arthur's" lack of necessity.

There simply remains no reason to have done a remake of "Arthur." I like Russell Brand and the rest of the cast but each could be doing something more original and constructive instead of going through the motions of someone else's comedy legend. Director Jason Winer and writer Peter Baynham offer too little that is new here and what little new there is doesn't make this "Arthur" relevant or unique.

Worth seeing for Russell Brand fans

If you have seen the trailers or commercials for "Arthur" and thought that you'd like to see it then I encourage you to go. You are likely a fan of Russell Brand and his work here is solid. If you are on the fence however, there is nothing in "Arthur" that screams must see.

Wait for the DVD and you will likely be just as satisfied. Or, you could rent the Dudley Moore original and be so delighted that you forget the remake entirely.

Movie Review Arthur (1982)

Arthur (1981) 

Directed by Steve Gordon

Written by Steve Gordon 

Starring Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, Sir John Gielgud 

Release Date July 17th, 1981 

Published July 16th, 2011 

Arthur Bach has everything a man could want; millions of dollars and all of the toys it can buy. Arthur has been wasting his family money for decades but now his father is ready to insist that he grow up. The plan is for Arthur to marry a socialite named Susan Johnson and then take a grown up, responsible job with his father’s company.

If Arthur refuses to marry Susan he will be cut off from the family fortune, more than 750 million dollars. Arthur’s troubles are only increased when he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli) as she is caught shoplifting at a high end department store. Arthur steps in to rescue her and they both find that they have a terrific chemistry and attraction.

Arthur is smitten but of course he must marry Susan. Meanwhile, Arthur’s long time servant and best friend Hobson (Sir John Gielgud) is hiding a secret from Arthur while working to assure that Arthur and Linda will have some kind of connection. Can Arthur give up all of the money to be with Linda?

“Arthur” has somewhat odd charms. As written and directed by Steve Gordon, who sadly died just a year after the film was released, “Arthur” is essentially about a drunken, millionaire man-child who we are supposed to love. It’s not exactly a recipe for a sympathetic character but as played by Dudley Moore, in an Oscar nominated performance, it works. You just can’t help but like Arthur.

Dudley Moore makes you forget while you are watching “Arthur” that alcoholism is not supposed to be charming and funny. Somehow, Moore’s stumbling and slurring only make him more appealing. That is in part because we know it’s just a movie but also in part because Dudley Moore is so very funny and it’s easy to forgive funny.

Sir John Gielgud is the scene stealer of “Arthur.” Early on in the film Gielgud’s surprisingly tart tongue catches you off guard. As the film goes on Gielgud’s remarkably well timed insults and quips fall further into the background but never miss their mark. Gielgud was indeed very deserving of his 1981 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

“Arthur” also won an Oscar for the awful original song “Arthur’s Theme” the truly brutal pop tune written by Burt Bachrach and performed by Christopher Cross. Somehow, 30 years later, the lyric “When you get caught between the moon and New York City” remains the thing most remembered about this comedy classic. And to this day no one knows what that lyric means.

Regardless of the awful theme song “Arthur” is a comedy classic. Fans loved Dudley Moore so much in the role that we’ve all mostly forgotten about the abysmal sequel, “Arthur 2: On the Rocks.” Our collective amnesia on just how truly awful that sequel was is yet another testament to how much we love the original “Arthur.”