Release Date: July 15, 2011
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 110 minutes
Loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, an irresponsible charmer who has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of his lifelong nanny and best friend Hobson, to keep him out of trouble. Kind-hearted, fun-loving, and utterly without purpose, Arthur spends every day in the heedless pursuit of amusement. But when his unpredictable public image threatens the staid reputation of the family foundation, Bach Worldwide, he is given an ultimatum: marry the beautiful but decidedly unlovable Susan Johnson, an ambitious corporate exec who can keep him in line, or say goodbye to his billion-dollar inheritance and the only way of life he knows. It’s a deal Arthur would be inclined to take…if he hadn’t just fallen for Naomi, a New York City tour guide who shares his idealism and spontaneity.
Having never seen the original 1981 comedy from which this movie is based on, I went in watching this predictable remake with no expectations other than knowing that I would laugh a number of times with Russell Brand in the lead. In fact, as such a fan of Russell Brand that I am, I knew that I would enjoy the film no matter how the critics compared it to the original film. And I did! For a laugh out loud comedy about an irresponsible heir who will lose his fortune if he does not marry to keep the family’s business on the right path, this film had a lot of heart. Sure, we get to see Arthur form a relationship with a young woman, Naomi Quinn (played by Greta Gerwig who is so incredibly charming) but we also create an even stronger love and appreciation for the relationship between Arthur and Hobson (played by Helen Mirren). It’s this relationship that helps Arthur become not only the responsible man that everyone knows he can be but the loving man with good morals that she saw in Arthur’s relationship with Naomi.
Now while the story was entertaining and emotionally engaging enough to keep me enthralled, it seemed like the first half of the film was all laughs and then there was a shift in tone where things became much more serious. So the balance of comedy and drama and romance could have been handled better. Also, while Jennifer Garner is always a delight to see, it was hard to take her character seriously, going from ex-girlfriend to respected business woman to crazy (drunk at one point) gold digger – the latter two in such a short amount of time. For a film that is almost 2 hours long, we also do not get to see why Arthur and Garner’s character are not meant to be. Arthur gives us a list of reasons why and we just have to take that and accept it for what it is, without Arthur even attempting to form at least a positive and friendly relationship with her. Needless to say, this is one of my least favorite roles of Garner’s. Her character and placement in Arthur’s life is just not fleshed out enough.
Also, I had the feeling that some scenes did not flow as naturally as they would have, had this not been a remake. But Mirren held it all together and really was the heart of the film… which I’m not sure is a good thing since maybe the lead, Brand is supposed to be. Having said all of that, I still enjoyed the film for what it was. Accepting the film for what it turned out to be with no comparisons, this was a simple tale of young man growing into his manhood and choosing love over money. Is it perfect? No. But it is entertaining at a basic level and that is something that I don’t mind every now and then. Also, Evander Holyfield and Dylan’s Candy Bar CEO, Dylan Lauren both make cameos.
Bonus Features:
* Arthur Unsupervised
* Addition Scenes
* Gag Reel
Arthur is available on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand, and for Download July 15, 2011.