Adam Collins posted on April 12, 2011 00:00
Let me preface this review by stating a shocking fact: I have never seen the Dudley Moore original. Okay, with that said, I still did not enjoy Arthur. The main reason being, I do not find Russell Brand funny. It took me over ten minutes before I finally laughed. I cannot remember what it was, but I did take the effort to check my watch to see how long it actually took. I am not saying that other people did not laugh their fool heads off, but I did not laugh.
Arthur opens with Arthur (Brand) getting drunk at will and putting on a Batman Forever batsuit. Then, his chauffer Bitterman (Guzman) appears dressed as Robin. After a fiasco involving the Batmobile, Arthur is arrested. His mother loses a business deal as the local news sites break the news; all the people attending her event get the notification via their smartphones. We are also introduced to job-oriented Susan (Garner). After a bender, we find Arthur in his penthouse condo. His nanny Hobson (Mirren) cleans up the familiar mess, and kicks out the usual street trash.
From here, the movie is quite formulaic. Arthur, being an embarrassment to his mother and her company, is forced to marry Susan to keep the company on the top, and to keep his inheritance. Along the way, Arthur meets Naomi (Gerwig), an unlicensed tour guide. Arthur falls for Naomi, Naomi for Arthur. Unfortunately, he is betrothed to Susan. Arthur is left to choose between his money and his love.
Nick Nolte makes an appearance as Susan’s father. He steals his three scenes. While I am on the subject, Greta Gerwig steals all the scenes she is in, and really is the only silver lining to an otherwise boring, unfunny film. A scene between her and Mirren’s Hobson is one of, if not, the best. The only other cameos worth mentioning are the General Lee and the Mystery Machine.
In the end, Arthur is not funny, slightly endearing, and completely trite. I think the only saving factor for this film is the fact that I have nothing to compare it to. Many of the reviews talk about how Dudley Moore is better than Brand. Liza Minelli is better than Gerwig. Helen Mirren is playing a role that won Jogn Gielgud an Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role. I do not see this remake getting anywhere close to the two Oscars and two additional nominations. It might pick up a few Razzies. But really, what remake is better than the original? No, really, discuss below. I will start, The Thomas Crown Affair.
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