Review - Arthur

Caught Between the Moon and New York City

Remakes are a tough business. Inevitably you will be compared to the original film, even though you should be judged on your own merit. I try to separate the two and most times, I’m successful. But there is always the exception to any rule.

Arthur (Russell Brand) is a rich playboy that goes through life with not a care in the world. He doesn’t work, is living on the wealth of his mother, has a nanny, is surrounded by beautiful women and oh by the way – is constantly drunk. His latest episode is the last straw, and his mother is about to force him to marry her assistant Susan (Jennifer Garner) to ensure a competent individual with the family name will always run the company. And she gives him the ultimatum – marry Susan or be cut off.

But Arthur happens to meet a girl on his own at the same time Naomi (Greta Gerwig) is the type of girl who could possibly bring things to his life that Susan couldn’t even fathom. Susan is in it for the money, the power and the status. Naomi isn’t even in it yet, but is intrigued by this stranger that saved her from possible arrest.

All the while, Arthur is managed at home by his nanny, Hobson (Helen Mirren) who is there to be the mother that he doesn’t really have. His mother has kept Hobson in his life and she works hard to keep the gold digging women away from Arthur, but she is on board with his upcoming marriage to Susan.

Now will Arthur be able to live his life without the money, or will he take the money and marry Susan to continue his extravagant lifestyle. He’s definitely torn between the two, and which will win out?

I tried, desperately, to keep my feelings about the original movie out of this. But Dudley Moore’s Arthur in the 80s was so likable, while Russell Brand’s just seems out of control. There is very little “fun” in this movie, except for when Greta Gerwig is involved. She infuses life in the film when she is onscreen. Unfortunately, Brand seems too disjointed in his role as Arthur.

Even Helen Mirren and Jennifer Garner couldn’t help this film that just seemed lost in the way it did things. I waited and waited and waited some more to enjoy what was going on in Arthur. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting.

This should have been a decent film, it should have been fun and lighthearted and it just didn’t come across that way. I wanted to like, and write a good review here but instead I find myself just caught between the moon and New York City. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true!


C

Arthur
Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Jason Winer
Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte

Rating: PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references.
Runtime: 110 minutes.