“Arthur” is a remake of the 1981 comedy hit of the same name. The 1981 film won multiple Oscars and starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. My first thought after seeing this version of “Arthur,” starring Russell Brand (Arthur) and
“Arthur” is a remake of the 1981 comedy hit of the same name. The 1981 film won multiple Oscars and starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli.
My first thought after seeing this version of “Arthur,” starring Russell Brand (Arthur) and Helen Mirren (Hobson) — in a role that was played by a man in the first movie — was how necessary are remakes? If you have a soft spot for the beloved “Arthur” Dudley Moore brought us, then you won’t enjoy this remake.
My second thought was that if you haven’t seen the first one, this one will be great for you to see. Although no matter what Helen Mirrren (Oscar winner for “The Queen”) does, she’s fantastic, even in her latest action movie that hit DVD, “Red.”
“Arthur” is a simple plot and I’m not spoiling anything when I say the movie is about following your heart and passion. The simple fact that love trumps money, power and business provides us all with a good message.
I will give full credit to Russell Brand for showing that he has some acting chops. He was not playing the usual character meant to set up jokes, like he did in “Get him to the Greek” or “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (both great movies).
In “Arthur” Brand has to take his character from point A to point Z. Arthur must start as a drunken fool and end up a normal human. Brand makes the character very accessible; I liked that part.
However, there was something missing from just how funny Dudley Moore was as a drunk. For one thing, Moore received an Oscar nomination; Brand will not.
I’m never one to bash a movie, so I’m left with the dilemma of whether remakes are worthwhile. I know today’s audience has probably long forgotten the “Arthur” of 1981, except for filmmakers and film historians. There is a sweetness to both films and an honesty to the ideals both films hold, but because Dudley Moore was so good, I wonder what made producers think it needed to be remade with Russell Brand.
The movie has great music, great performances and some really good one-liners. I don’t know. I’m willing to admit I was watching for similarities, and maybe that was unfair to the film and reader. I can sense the young crowd will love it and the elders might not. So I give this movie 85 percent approval rating on my “See You at the Movies” scale.
On a final note, for a date or to go and see a fun movie … well, “Arthur” is worth it. I want to remind the older crowd, the score is not as great as the original (Oscar Best Song in 1981). Thanks for joining me this week and I’ll“see you at the movies!
• Paul Booth is a film producer/director/historian and can be reached at pkb_1@hotmail.com.
