Review of the 2011 film, Arthur.
30 years on from the original film, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli, Russell Brand has thrown himself into this remake of Arthur. The almost fairy tale-like story line about an heir to a billion dollar fortune who is given a choice: marry and keep his money, which has kept him in his childlike New York palace, or follow his heart and lose it all.
His domineering fiancé, Susan, is instantaneously someone the whole audience loves to hate with her greedy ambition, scary father and a metal corset which gets her stuck in a captivating situation – involving a magnetic floating bed.
But the risk to his fortune comes in the form of girl-next-door, Naomi, who steals this selfish man’s heart.
Without wanting to purposely spoil the ending for you, I can confirm that like most fairy tales it has a happy ending. Which is even happier for any Russell Brand fans as we see him wandering the streets of Queens in his underwear.
But I don’t wish to dwell on the confortable storyline which made the original such a hit and one of those old films I would always watch on the TV with my brother. It is the choice of cast, which at first was slightly baffling, but in some strange way a girl from Pearl Harbor, a Calendar Girl, a seemingly unknown and an ex-heroin addict came together perfectly.
Playing a drunken playboy who lives lavishly and promiscuously hardly seems much of challenge for the ex alcohol, drug and sex addict.
But what may have turned into a predictable and unbearable performance was saved by the presence of Helen Mirren as Hobson, his Mary Popping-like nanny. The chemistry between the two worked perfectly as Hobson’s contrite and clipped insults merely bounced off of Arthur’s innocent ramblings.
Jennifer Garner's brilliant tongue in cheek performance as Susan was brilliant and matched perfectly with Brand’s quips and remarks.
But for me one of the stars of the film whose talent shone through was Greta Gerwig who played Naomi. Her performance as the genuine albeit poor girl who to our great satisfaction Arthur falls for is reserved but has the punchy attitude combined with awkward sweetness similar to Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer.
With moments of intentional humour that have you laughing at possible sexism and borderline racist remarks. To the awkward moment when you realise the vicar hosting the wedding does in fact look like a cartoon character from a Disney film - Merlin from Sword in the Stone. The film offers continual chuckles and the director, Jason Winer, provides a modern take on the original with as much audience attachment for the loveable rogue Arthur, and maybe even another classic film in the making.
- Arthur (2011)
His domineering fiancé, Susan, is instantaneously someone the whole audience loves to hate with her greedy ambition, scary father and a metal corset which gets her stuck in a captivating situation – involving a magnetic floating bed.
But the risk to his fortune comes in the form of girl-next-door, Naomi, who steals this selfish man’s heart.
Without wanting to purposely spoil the ending for you, I can confirm that like most fairy tales it has a happy ending. Which is even happier for any Russell Brand fans as we see him wandering the streets of Queens in his underwear.
But I don’t wish to dwell on the confortable storyline which made the original such a hit and one of those old films I would always watch on the TV with my brother. It is the choice of cast, which at first was slightly baffling, but in some strange way a girl from Pearl Harbor, a Calendar Girl, a seemingly unknown and an ex-heroin addict came together perfectly.
Playing a drunken playboy who lives lavishly and promiscuously hardly seems much of challenge for the ex alcohol, drug and sex addict.
But what may have turned into a predictable and unbearable performance was saved by the presence of Helen Mirren as Hobson, his Mary Popping-like nanny. The chemistry between the two worked perfectly as Hobson’s contrite and clipped insults merely bounced off of Arthur’s innocent ramblings.
Jennifer Garner's brilliant tongue in cheek performance as Susan was brilliant and matched perfectly with Brand’s quips and remarks.
- Arthur (1981)
With moments of intentional humour that have you laughing at possible sexism and borderline racist remarks. To the awkward moment when you realise the vicar hosting the wedding does in fact look like a cartoon character from a Disney film - Merlin from Sword in the Stone. The film offers continual chuckles and the director, Jason Winer, provides a modern take on the original with as much audience attachment for the loveable rogue Arthur, and maybe even another classic film in the making.
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