Last Friday was the opening weekend of the anticipated movie, Arthur, starring the funnyman Russell Brand. Unfortunately, the movie added nothing special to the typical slapstick comedic formula.
Brand stars as the title character, Arthur, who is a spoiled, self-conceited and alcoholic heir to a multi-millionaire fortune. To save his family’s name, his mother requires that he marry a wealthy and ambitious woman, Susan (played by Jennifer Garner), or else he will be cut off from his inheritance. Arthur, however, wants to marry for love, after meeting a cute imposter tour guide named Naomi (played by Greta Gerwig). He succumbs to an engagement to Susan, but secretly dates Naomi. One can probably guess what happens next…
While Brand does provide some good laughs with his insane and obnoxious humor, he does not completely handle the weight of carrying a movie on his own. He works better in an ensemble cast, like in Get Him to the Greek. Helen Mirren absolutely delights as Hobson, Arthur’s nanny, and the relationship progression between her and Arthur is one of the highlights of the film.
Gerwig also shines in her role, but I am starting to tire of the movies where a sweet girl falls in love with a hapless man. It seems a little unrealistic, and it is hard to believe Naomi was shocked to hear Arthur was engaged, even though it was in all the papers.
Despite the flaws I found with the fi lm, it entertained my friends and caused a few laugh-out-loud moments. I recommend it for those wanting a silly movie that requires little thinking, but wait for the DVD release.
In the meantime, check out the original 1981 fi lm Arthur, which won Dudley Moore an Oscar for Best Actor.
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